Tribune News Service
Panchkula, April 18
The CBI Special Court on Wednesday convicted nine of the 10 accused in the Apna Ghar sexual abuse case. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on April 24.
Jaswanti Devi, who ran Apna Ghar, an NGO for destitutes and orphans at Rohtak, her daughter Sushma alias Simmi, son-in-law Jai Bhagwan, brother Jaswant Singh, driver Satish and his sister Sheela were tried for rape, immoral trafficking, grievous hurt, molestation, forced abortion and treating children with cruelty. All were held guilty.
Veena, a counsellor with Apna Ghar, was convicted of causing miscarriage, unlawful labour, criminal intimidation and cruelty to children. Roshni was found guilty of taking away a child born to an Apna Ghar inmate and forging the birth certificate. Ram Prakash Saini, who worked in close liaison with Jaswanti, was convicted of making an inmate work at his house.
Angrez Kaur Hooda, then Child Development Project Officer, Rohtak, who regularly inspected Apna Ghar, was let off by the court. Defence lawyers SPS Parmar and Abhishek Singh Rana said she was accused of beating up inmates, but the prosecution failed to submit proof.
Jitendar Kumar represented the CBI. “There were allegations that Sushma filmed inmates naked but evidence proved otherwise. Since Roshni, Veena, Sushma, Sheela and Saini have not been taken into custody, they might get some relief,” defence counsel said.
About the case
TALES OF TORTURE
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