Panamaram rape case: Child Welfare Committee failed to verify minor's details

Kozhikode: The Department of Social Justice has initiated an inquiry into the alleged rape of a minor by a Sunday school teacher Sijo George who is also the former district coordinator of the Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM), and the reported move by the orphanage to give the child to another couple through adoption. The inquiry will look into whether any lapses were committed by the Child Welfare Committee.

The police registered the statement of the orphanage authorities on Thursday. Police had arrested Sijo George in connection with the rape of the Plus 2 student after which the girl got pregnant. However, Kozhikode Child Welfare Committee chairperson Sreela Menon said that the there was no lapse on the part of Wayanad CWC as the mother of the girl had stated that she was a major, she said. The parents of the girl and Sijo had come to the St Vincent Home in November with the girl and she was admitted there.

In December, after delivery, the parents went back with the girl leaving the baby in the care of the orphanage. The relatives had claimed that the girl was19 years old, according to orphanage authorities. The incident was informed to the CWC in writing. Police says that the orphanage and CWC authorities did not verify the claims of the parents about the age of the girl. Meanwhile, Sijo George, who was produced in court, has been remanded to judicial custody.