The Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID) has registered four cases after beginning its probe into the Anbu Jothi Ashram case.
The Ashram in Villupuram which calls itself a 'residential home for mentally ill and destitutes', was recently found to have illegally confined a lot of people and branded them as mentally ill. Many women who were rescued have said that they were sexually assaulted. Others added that if they resisted, they would be chained and beaten with iron rods or monkeys would be unleashed on them.
The horrific incidents that have been happening in the Ashram for decades, came to light recently, when a person filed a complaint and a habeas corpus petition that his father-in-law, Jabarullah, aged 70, went missing from the Ashram. It was also found to be running without a licence.
The owners of the Ashram, i.e., Jubin Baby and his wife Maria are Christians from Kerala. The inmates, however, belong to various religions.
During the investigation, many fake authorisation letters from the police authorising the Ashram to bury dead bodies were found. This has led to the suspicion of human and organ trafficking. Connections were found to Karnataka and Rajasthan.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president, K Annamalai has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting him to order a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Seeks Report
The SHRC has taken suomoto cognisance of the case through media reports and has asked the Villupuram District Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP) to submit a report within six weeks.
Fact-Finding Team of National Commission for Women (NCW) Meets Victims
A fact finding team of the NCW met some victims admitted to the Government Hospital in Villupuram and recorded their statements. The team also inspected the Ashram and spoke to district officials.
Madras High Court Asks Police To Submit Action Taken Report On 27 February
In a habeas corpus petition filed by Halideen to trace the father-in-law, Jabarullah of his friend, Salim, which came up for hearing on 20 February, the police submitted that they were unable to trace Jabarullah who according to the Ashram authorities was shifted to Bangalore.
They added, that it was not possible to present Jubin Baby before the Court because he was in custody elsewhere. After, this the Court asked the police to submit an 'action taken report' on 27 February, the next date of hearing.
4 Victims Escape, 1 Brought Back
During the night, four victims escaped from a shelter home where they were rehabilitated. One of them has been brought back, while the search for the others still goes on.
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