After shocking incidents of rape and torture of children at an illegally-run shelter home came to light in Maharashtra, the Women and Child Development Ministry today decided to install CCTVs in all shelter homes in the country.
"Taking note of the horrifying incident in a children's shelter home in Raigad district of Maharashtra where minor children are stated to be sexually abused, it has been decided that CCTVs need to be installed in every shelter home," said a statement by the ministry, headed by Maneka Gandhi.
"The Ministry of Women and Child Development in consultation with State Governments will work towards this," the statement said.
The government took the decision after shocking tales of rape and torture emerged from an illegally-run shelter for tribal and poor children in Maharashtra's Raigad district.
Chairman of Chandraprabha Charitable Trust Ajit Dabholkar and manager Lalita Tonde were arrested on Tuesday after the children, some as young as 11 years old, complained about being forced to have sex among each other and with the accused.
The offence came to light when one of the inmates informed her mother who approached the Raigad Child Helpline, which complained to the police.
Maneka Gandhi, who recently assumed charge of the Ministry, is also learnt to be keen on opening a Facebook account for her ministry, including a page for complaints on issues related to women and children, sexual offences and atrocities.
