Andhra Pradesh child rights panel seeks report on alleged hostel abuse

The Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has sought a report from Prakasam district authorities over the alleged sexual abuse of a girl from a BC Welfare hostel. The commission said it would visit the hostel in Ongole, speak with staff and students, and conduct its own inquiry. Vundavalli Gandhi Babu, a member of the commission, said officials had been directed to submit a detailed report.

The incident allegedly occurred on September 29. According to the information provided, the hostel’s cook sent two girls to a private house in Ongole town, where a retired employee allegedly abused one of them. The accused was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

The material does not identify the accused or provide details of the charges beyond the arrest. Gandhi Babu said the commission was concerned about the incident and had instructed the officials concerned to investigate it. The planned visit is intended to allow the commission to examine the hostel’s circumstances directly and speak with those connected to it.

The commission’s action will add a child-rights review to the investigation already being pursued following the arrest. The available material does not state when the district report or the commission’s visit will take place. Children in distress, or people with information about abuse, can contact Childline on 1098.