Kasargod: Consumer Forum raids Snehalaya orphanage at Manjeshwar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (DV)
Kasargod, Jun 1: Snehalaya orphanage at Thumminadu, Manjeshwar, was on Saturday June 1 raided by the members of Consumer Forum, Manjeshwar and Thumminadu Nagarika Samithi.
The raid was carried out based on complaint by the public, sources said. The orphanage is run by Joseph Crasta.
It is said that the organization has been active from the past three years, and that under Kerala Board of Control of Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes, it is certified from 2011 to 2014. However, the members of raiding team said that the orphanage has been functioning since 2009.
Sources said that the Consumer Forum received complaint from the public about the poor condition of not only the orphanage and its premises, but also the surroundings. The Forum thereafter enquired about it with Joseph Crasta, while Thumminadu Nagarika Samithi filed an application under RTI.
The RTI information reportedly revealed that though home has permission for only 25 inmates, as many as 86 persons, including those who are physically challenged, mentally ill, and even children, are housed there. The condition is also said to be poor, with bad odour in the premises which reportedly led the public to complain. A lane beside the home meant for public use is also said to be in poor condition.
Raju Singh, an 8th std boy from Jammu who went missing, told reporters that he had come to the orphanage about one-and-a-half years ago but so far there has been no attempt to send him back to Jammu. He is the son of Suredra Singh, a commander in Jammu, and Kamala Devi.
The raid was led by Sanjeev Shetty, president of Manjeshwar Nagarika Samithi and Consumer Forum.