Kochi: Christ the King orphanage at Ponnurunni in Kochi would be closed down as a probe into the alleged abuse and assault of inmates by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) found absence of registration under the Juvenile Justice Act.

17 girl children had testified against the management before the CWC. The girls told the Police that they were beaten up by the nuns at the orphanage and there were days when they were not given food.

The rehabilitation of the inmates would be lead by Child Welfare Committee. The CWC would be inspecting till the end of March as it was found that children  here were abused and assaulted by the authorities.

“We have asked them to continue till the end of this academic year as, otherwise, it will affect the studies of the inmates,” CWC officials said. As most of the inmates here belong to poor families, the CWC will make arrangements for shifting them to other government-run hostels by the next academic year.

The Kochi police have also launched a probe against the administrators of the orphanage  here for allegedly abusing and assaulting the inmates there.

According to the police, a case under the Juvenile Justice Act has been registered against the matron and another employee of Christ King orphanage, based on a complaint by girl inmates.

The incident came to light late on Feb 9, when 20 inmates of the orphanage, between the age groups of 10 and 15, staged a protest in front of the orphanage.

On an alert by local residents, a police team rushed to the spot and negotiated with the orphanage authorities.

“The girls are currently accommodated back in the orphanage upon receiving an assurance from the orphanage authorities that they would not be subjected to harassment,” said Vijaya Sankar S., sub inspector of police, Kadavanthra.

The inmates alleged that the orphanage authorities had subjected them to abuse, physical torture and even denied proper food at times.