Allegations of Abuse at Maharashtra Shelter Home

A harrowing case has emerged from a children’s shelter in Latur, Maharashtra, where a 16-year-old girl, living with HIV, has accused an employee of repeated sexual assault. According to the girl’s police complaint, the abuse occurred over two years at Sevalay, a shelter home dedicated to HIV-infected children. The girl reported that she was raped four times by an employee between July 13, 2023, and July 23 of this year.

Forced Abortion Without Consent

The situation worsened when the girl fell ill and was taken to a hospital. Medical tests revealed she was four months pregnant. It is alleged that the accused arranged for a doctor to perform an abortion without the girl’s consent. This procedure was reportedly carried out under duress, with threats made to ensure her silence about the ordeal.

Attempts to Seek Help Ignored

Desperate for help, the girl wrote a letter detailing her experiences and placed it in a complaint box. However, her plea was allegedly ignored by the institution’s management, who are said to have destroyed the letter instead of offering assistance.

Arrests Made Following Investigation

Following the girl’s complaint and subsequent investigation, several individuals associated with Sevalay have been arrested. Among those detained are Sevalay’s founder Ravi Bapatle, superintendent Rachna Bapatle, and employees Amit Mahamuni and Pooja Waghmare. The shelter home, which promotes itself as a “happy home of children,” houses 23 boys and seven girls, all living with HIV.

Institution Under Scrutiny

The incident has brought significant scrutiny to Sevalay and its operations. The shelter’s website claims that all workers provide their services voluntarily. However, this case raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in such institutions.