Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested two persons for the sexual assault of five mentally challenged girls at a facility here.
The girls were residing at a facility in Channi Rama area of Jammu city and were taken care by wardens and caretakers.
Police have arrested the director of the facility and a guard in connection with the case after social activists took up the matter and complained to the police.
Deputy Inspector General Shakil Ahmed Beigh said Thursday that the facility housed 45 children out of which five girls were sexually assaulted over a period of time.
"We received information that mentally challenged girls were being sexually exploited harassed at a facility for them in Jammu area. We had set-up an enquiry commission by the Deputy Commissioner of Jammu, comprising psychiatrists and gynaecologists. They had made a report, which shows that five girls out of the 45 mentally retarded children at the facility were being sexually assaulted. We have lodged a First Information Report (FIR), investigation is one and we have arrested two persons, one is the manager and the other is a watchman at the facility," said Ahmad.
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Meanwhile, the warden of the facility said she treats the children as her own and demanded a medical examination to prove the charges.
"We know that there is report, doctors know best. Medical examination should be conducted on the children as well on the accused to know the reality of the situation. From what I know, the children's hands were touched, but not in an appropriate manner. We treat these children as our children.
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In early 2013, India approved a tougher new law to punish sex crimes, including death for repeat rape offenders, after the fatal gang rape of a student in December sparked unprecedented protests over the treatment of women in the country.
The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013 or "anti-rape law" puts in place a slew of new provisions and tougher punishments, which include criminalising voyeurism and stalking and making acid attacks and human trafficking specific offences.
Rape is just one of many violations women suffer in India, ranging from female foeticide and dowry murders to acid attacks, trafficking and so-called honour killings.
