Orphanage founder held for sexually harassing teenage girl in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The Cyberabad Police on Monday arrested the founder of a private orphanage here for allegedly sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl inmate.

The girl, a class ninth student from the orphanage, in a complaint to police yesterday has accused Madhav Rao of sexually harassing her after calling her to his room in the premises, a police officer at LB Nagar Police Station said.

Following the complaint, a case under section 354 A of the IPC and under relevant sections of POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses) Act was registered against Rao and he was arrested. He is being produced before a local court today, the officer said.

Section 354 A of IPC deals with sexual harassment, which is a bailable offence. Any person found guilty of sexual harassment can be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

City-based Balala Hakkula Sangham, an NGO working for child rights, condemned the incident.

“A thorough inspection should be conducted at private orphanages and if any irregularities are found, such orphanages should be immediately merged with government homes,” honorary president of the NGO, Achyuta Rao said.

PTI