How Could You? Hall of Shame-India-Arjun Bhosle case

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Coimbatore, India, “a 10-year-old boy who was rescued from the streets recently and admitted in a home, was beaten by the child care home’s caretaker. The boy was allegedly beaten for not eating, sleeping and showering.

Arjun, son of Sivaji Bhosle from Manewadi, Satara district in Maharashtra, was photographed blowing soap bubbles and begging near Red Cross by TOI. On January 26, the anti-human trafficking unit rescued him near the government hospital. He produced in front of the child welfare committee and sent to Don Bosco Illam in Ramanathapuram.

On Saturday, this reporter met Arjun, who said, “The caretaker of the home beats me repeatedly. On the first day, she hit me on my head and face asking for the money I had earned by blowing bubbles.” He also alleged that the caretaker, Suganthi R, had beaten him for not eating and sleeping. His face had bruises.

Suganthi said that she had only collected his belongings as was done with every child who is brought to the home. She said, “I have Rs220 belonging to him with me. We did not take anything else from him.” She denied beating him but said he was not eating or bathing. There are only two boys in the private home.

The caretaker said Arjun used to roam the roads near the railway junction and was often found blowing soap bubbles in front of the government hospital. Sugnathi said, “He slept at the railway station and ate in small outlets.”

Arjun said his family hails from Maharashtra and had migrated to Palladam few months ago in search of jobs. Arjun’s father and mother wash vehicles and clothes to earn a living. He said he has two younger brothers Karan and Deepak.

Arjun said he used to go to school, but had to quit after his father broke his leg in an accident three months ago. He learnt to blow soap bubbles while helping his father wash vehicles. Arjun said, “After he broke his leg, I would blow bubbles at different public places and he would collect money from spectators.”

Vijayakumari P M, a former member of the child welfare committee, said that a child should not be beaten or ill-treated in any way. “The child might being feeling alienated after being brought to the home. It is also the home’s duty to do a medical check-up for the child,” she said. The child should be sent to school and taken care of until they find the parents or a guardian, said Vijayakumari. The home has informed Palladam police about Arjun. ”

10-year-old accuses children’s home head of beating him in Coimbatore
[Times of India 2/1/15 by Adarsh Jain]

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