Disabled inmate whose child was sold,‘falls’ from building

Sources disclosed that Ramavati was disturbed ever since her child was taken away. “We are yet to confirm identity of the father and how and under what circumstances the child was allegedly given to the UP-based family. The other inmates told us that she (Ramavati) was very upset after the incident and might have tried to attempt suicide. On the other hand,the doctors say that since she is mentally challenged,it can not be said with certainty that she planned to kill herself,” one of the investigating police officers said requesting not to be named in print.

Ramavati is one of the few women inmates of the shelter home; whose children were allegedly taken away from them,allegedly at the behest of prime accused in the case — Jaswanti Devi — and then given away to families living in other states,in lieu of certain donations.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police,Rohtak,Tula Ram,who recently submitted a report on the Apna Ghar in Punjab and Haryana High Court,said the police was expecting to record Ramavati’s statement once she gets better.

“It is not yet clear,as to how she fell. Some inmates say that she lost balance,others claim that she fell unconscious,lost her balance and hit the ground. We have yet not proceeded any further in the case and are waiting for her to get better,” Tula Ram said.

Meanwhile,a team of National Commission of Women,from New Delhi also met Ramavati in the hospital. More than a month after the scandal broke,a three-member NCW team finally interacted with the inmates on Sunday to get first hand information and prepare a report,which would be finally submitted with the Centre. The team also interacted with the Apna Ghar inmates now shifted to other shelter homes.

“We can not divulge any details at this point of time. We have met a number of inmates of the shelter home and heard some horrific tales. It is shocking. We shall come out with the details of our report,once we are through with its submission,” one of the NCW members said.

Finally,Jaswanti taken off Juvenile Justice Board

Chandigarh: More than a month after Apna Ghar scandal broke and its in-charge Jaswanti Devi was arrested,the Haryana government has finally woken up from its slumber and terminated her membership from the Juvenile Justice Board,Rohtak. The government has also withdrawn the Indira Gandhi Mahila Shakti Award given to Jaswanti. In a statement released on Monday,Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Geeta Bhukkal said that a decision to this effect was taken in view of the FIR registered against Jaswanti.