This was what a five-member delegation of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) led by member Yogesh Dube found during an inspection of an observation home for juveniles in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura today.
The delegation found that the 35 juveniles were housed in "dehumanised" condition with no clean water for drinking, Dube said.
During the inspection, it was also found that there was just one tap over an uncovered drain from which water was utilised for bathing and drinking.
"There were unclean washrooms with broken doors and there were no provisions for bathroom. They took a bath in courtyard and also cooked food there. There are insufficient beds. So children have to sleep on the floor and under the bed.
"They have to cook food on their own and wash their own utensils. Rooms are not ventilated," Dube said.
The children told the delegation that policemen usually came in uniform and some of them also claimed that instances of being handcuffed and tied with ropes.
The team also visited a children's home where they irregularities and non-compliance laws.
The Children's Home authorities was found lacking in doing followup action on adoption. "No records were found with CWC regarding the adoption procedure followed.
"Mentally retarded children were found in pitiable conditions. One mentally retarded girl's hand was amputated after she was admitted to a hospital for two and half years," he said. The NCPCR directed that proper investigation should be done in this matter.
The inspection at a beggar's home, he said, it was found that no beggar was housed there in the last two years.
"They had appropriate funds, staff and infrastructure but implementation was severly lacking. The rooms were used as store rooms. The house was in a dilapidated condition," he said.
