RAIPUR: In a deeply disturbing incident, a female manager of an orphanage brutally assaulted an innocent toddler girl in Shivnagar area of tribal dominated Kanker district in Chhattisgarh.
A CCTV video of the incident has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage and police action. Acting swiftly, the woman identified as Seema Dwivedi has been arrested.
The video depicts the program manager of the adoption center subjecting the helpless child to merciless physical abuse. Dwivedi is seen forcefully lifting the child by her hair and repeatedly striking her on the ground. The distressing footage has appalled viewers and raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in such facilities.
District program officer Chandrashekhar Mishra has been suspended pending an investigation, for not taking action against the perpetrator despite complaints against her.
In response to this heinous incident, the State Legal Services Authority’s executive chairman and high court judge Justice Gautam Bhaduri, has directed officials concerned to take immediate action and compile a comprehensive report on the incident.
The authorities have emphasized the necessity of a thorough investigation and urged officials to engage with the affected children individually, assessing their well-being and addressing any challenges they may be facing.
Additionally, the authority has called for the provision of free legal assistance and compensation to the victimized child through the Victim Compensation Scheme, ensuring their rights and welfare are safeguarded. Counseling services will also be made available to support the child during their recovery process.
In a broader context, the State Legal Services Authority has instructed authorities to conduct inspections and investigations into all children’s homes and orphanages across the state, including Kanker. The secretary of the authority has further mandated district judges, presidents, and district legal services authorities to submit comprehensive reports on their investigations.
The adoption agency responsible for the Shivnagar center has been suspended pending further inquiries.