Ranchi: A two-member team from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) visited Nirmal Hriday on Tuesday in the wake of the alleged baby business unearthed at the Missionaries of Charity-run shelter on Jail Road earlier this month.

Four children born to minor girls at the shelter and allegedly sold to couples in Ranchi and outside have been rescued while investigating agencies are tracking three more.

The inspection team, comprising NCPCR member Priyank Kanoongo and technical expert Dushyant Mehar, was accompanied by State Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson Arti Kujur and Ranchi child welfare committee chairperson Rupa Verma.

They reached Nirmal Hriday around 2pm and spent half an hour talking to the in-charge, Sister Marie Deanne, before heading to Shishu Bhavan in Hinoo that is also run by the Missionaries of Charity. Later, they held a meeting with social welfare officials at Project Building.

Speaking to reporters briefly, Kanoongo said they took stock of registers and other documents at Nirmal Hriday. “Irregularities can’t be ruled out when the issue of baby sale has come to the fore. The NCPCR is inspecting all shelters across the country. Anomalies will invite the strongest possible action,” he said.

Asked about their findings at Nirmal Hriday, Kanoongo refused to share details because “a probe is on”. He, however, said that measures taken by the state commission and child welfare committee “looks satisfactory”.

“Two persons have already been arrested. If others are involved, they will be brought to book soon. From its end, the NCPCR will file FIRs against rogue shelters,” he added.

State commission chairperson Kujur said they had formed four teams that were inspecting shelters across the 24 districts of Jharkhand.

“We are mostly conducting surprise inspections. For instance, we visited Khunti last (Monday) night and checked on a few shelters. Some more were inspected this (Tuesday) morning. There are many irregularities that have come to light. These range from negligent data keeping to not producing children before the child welfare authorities. A thorough report will be compiled,” she said.

Baidnath Kumar, a member of Khunti child welfare committee, said the SCPCR team visited three homes on Monday and eight more on Tuesday.

Gross anomalies were found at Asha Kiran, Sahyog and Jyotishka, all run by NGOs but funded by the government. “Asha Kiran doesn’t have a superintendent. Sister Kindo, who was the in-charge, is missing since the gang rape last month. Ideally, someone should have replaced her. There are around 70 girls at the shelter, but security is questionable,” he said.

The other two shelters in Khunti are guilty of irregular data keeping and poor hygiene, Kumar added.

(The Telegraph)