In a case where a person claiming to be an ascetic (baba) was booked for sexually assaulting a boy in Uttarkashi, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) Usha Negi said that more focus should be accorded to registering Ashrams in the State.
Negi said, “We have recently asked the police department to take DNA test of four women who were caught begging with kids. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) is responsible for keeping a record of all the Ashrams however there is little data.
There are two types of Ashrams --one providing education to the children and others where the ascetics and other are provided shelter.
Many Ashrams providing education are registered however this is not the case with other type of Ashrams especially when it comes to registering children in these Ashrams. It is common for children to accompany babas to other places. There is no verification or registration of such children.”Adding further she said, “Many cases reach the police however, few are concluded. Police department should also take this seriously and DNA test in these cases should be done. This can expose many other issues like kidnapping among others. The department concerned should take their responsibility seriously so that no such case occurs in the future.” It is important to mention that a baba was recently booked for allegedly sexually exploiting a boy in Chinyalisaur area of Uttarkashi district.The accused identified as Raghuveer Das from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh was later sent to police custody under POCSO Act after a complaint against him was lodged.
The medical report of the victim also came positive. The boy hails from Mathura and had come to the state for Char Dham Yatra along with the baba during his summer vacation. The victim’s family had faith in the accused and thus let the boy go for the Yatra with him. The victim has been sent to the custody of Child Helpline.