Three teen inmates faced worst abuse at Tiruvannamalai home

It may be recalled that Collector KS Kandasamy inspected the facility a few days ago and due to lack of facilities, he ordered that the inmates be shifted to the government children’s home immediately.

However, following revelations by the inmates, the owner of the children’s home Ruban Kumar, wife Mercy and friend Justin Manavalan were soon arrested and jailed in Vellore under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) act.

A senior female police officer, who spoke to the three victims aged between 13 and 15 years, said, the three girls were made to sleep in a separate room and were not allowed to socialize with other inmates. When the girls wanted to sleep in rooms allotted for other inmates, they were abused and given additional work as punishment.”

“The three victims were the senior most inmates and the worst abused. The girls cried inconsolably while narrating their ordeal,” the female officer said. “They had no privacy even while bathing and they were constantly under watch of the three accused, especially Ruban Kumar,” she added.

An official seeking anonymity said, “The 47 inmates are now happy. They are relieved by the fact that they do not have to work anymore for their upkeep. The fear on their faces has vanished ever since they were rescued by officials.”

Asked about this, collector Kandasamy said, “As the three girls were orphans, the trio, especially Ruban Kumar, exploited and kept them under his control. He had been frequently telling them that they don’t have a place to go, other than the home. Ruban Kumar was also in the habit of making bad touches.”

“We are confident that the court will hand severe punishment to the accused,” Tiruvannamalai all woman police station cops said.