Care home helpers burn children's hands with hot spoon in Telangana

Hyderabad: In a shocking incident, three children in a state-run child care home in Telangana’s Karimnagar were allegedly tortured by women staff of the organisation.

The incident, which took place on April 15 evening, came to light today after local television channels flashed the CCTV footage showing the alleged torture at the 'Shishu Greh'. The hidden camera installed in the kitchen captured the horrific act of the women caretakers.

Officials of ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) Karimnagar who visited the centre and inspected the footage today, said Rajan (2), Geetha (5) and Swaroopa (5) were severely burnt with the hot spoon on their wrists by staff members Buchamma, Padma and Sharada, after the children allegedly refused to obey their orders to eat food that day.

After the episode got highlighted, Karimnagar District collector Neetu Kumari today ordered an inquiry into it. The move came after a member of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Hyderabad, Achyut Rao, issued a suo moto notice to enquire and initiate action against those responsible in the case.

The collector also suspended manager Devaraj and caretaker Srilatha for lack of proper supervision after a visit to the shelter home this afternoon and directed officials to initiate a criminal case against the accused staff members.

Meanwhile, Project Director Mohan Reddy of ICDS said initially, the care centre staff denied of having any knowledge (of the episode). "However, we went through the CCTV footage and came to know of this incident and severe action will be initiated."

The state commission for the protection of child rights has also issued a notice to the collector of Karimnagar for an inquiry and has sought a report by May 2.