NGO accuses Karnal orphanage of exploiting, threatening inmates

Tribune News Service

Karnal, January 16

Aas foundation, an NGO, today accused Shradhanand orphanage of exploiting inmates and threatening them of dire consequences if they revealed anything. However, the orphanage refuted the charges, saying it was an attempt to malign its image.

Addressing mediapersons, Aas foundation president Deepak Mehra said a former employee of the orphanage approached them and told them about the exploitation of inmates. Following which they conducted an investigation and found substance in allegations.

The foundation shared with mediapersons a private hospital doctor’s recommendation slip in which a pregnancy test has been suggested for a 14-year-old inmate of the orphanage.

Aas vice-president Rani Kamboj said several inmates got in touch with them and shared their plight of being harassed at the orphanage. She alleged the foundation raised the issue with the police, but to no avail, forcing them to take media’s help in the case.

Shradhanand orphanage Thakur Virender Singh, however, refuted the allegations and said that it was an attempt to malign the image of the orphanage.

He said the former employee who had approached the NGO was found undisciplined and sacked following a proper procedure. She was venting out ire by leveling baseless allegations against the orphanage, he added. He claimed all inmates were treated as family members and there was no question of exploitation in any manner.