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The Juvenile Justice Committee of the Andhra Pradesh High Court has taken suo moto cognizance over the issue of reported sexual abuse of a mentally disabled child in a private non-government organization (NGO).

After a news report published in The Hindu, the JJ Committee of the Andhra Pradesh High Court took suo moto cognizance of the issue while directing the Revenue, Women Development and Child Welfare Department and police to submit its report.

A First Information Report was registered at a Mahila Police Station under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code and 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

As per the FIR, the incident occurred on June 16, 2022. However, it was reported that even after 5 days of the incident, the records, attendance register, etc., were not seized from the NGO.

It may also be noted that the organizers of the private home allegedly obtained approval from the School Education Department, the Disabled Welfare Department, and the Juvenile Welfare Department to run a school, a home for special children, and a shelter for boys all at the same time, in contravention of regulations.