Orphanage shut over harassment row

KRISHNAGIRI:  A children’s orphanage in Mukondapalli, Hosur has been ordered to close following charges that the warden sexually harassed the children. The two administrators of Annai Sandhiya Home, Thiagarajan, warden in the Uthangarai Sub Jail, and his wife Venkatalakshmi, employed in a government anganwadi, were arrested by the Hosur police. The Collector has placed Venkatalakshmi under suspension from her government job. Based on a complaint from Angela Marry, Secretary of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, the Krishnagiri District Collector CN Maheswaran forwarded the matter to the district police. The Krishnagiri police initiated an enquiry into the orphanage along with officials of the Social Welfare department. During the enquiry, it was found that the home was being run without renewing its registration with the government. It was also found that one girl from the home had lodged a complaint at Hosur AWPS in connection with the sexual harassment. Thiagarajan and his wife were summoned to appear before officials in the Social Welfare Office in Krishnagiri on January 6, 2012.  Both the couples have been arrested and produced in Hosur Magistrate Court, which ordered them to 15 days judicial custody. The Collector has warned of stern action if any orphanages are found running without proper registration and permission from the government. The Collector has also made arrangements for children from the orphanage to be lodged in the Government home in Salem.