PANAJI
The institution at Old Goa, where a specially-abled juvenile became a victim of its carelessness, has come under intense scrutiny for allegedly admitting the child without following the mandatory procedure of law. The management is also suspected to have admitted children in their “care” more than the required capacity, most of whom were not produced before the CWC. Seven-year-old Gressy Nayak succumbed to burn injuries on Monday less than 12 hours after she fell in a hot water bucket.
The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) (North Goa) has charged St Francis Xavier Academy, Old Goa with bypassing the statutory Juvenile Justice Act.
“The child (Gressy) was residing in the institute without the orders of the CWC and the Committee filed a complaint on the negligence of the said institute. We would further like to bring to your notice that the Committee has sent several intimations to the institute for statutory compliance under JJ Act. However the institution has failed to provide any details,” reads an extract of the complaint lodged with the Old Goa Police on Monday.
The incident occurred at the institute’s Training-cum-Production Centre for Children with Disabilities when children with intellectual disabilities were getting ready for an evening bath at around 5 pm on Sunday. The juvenile was among other children who were allegedly left unattended when she accidentally fell in the hot bucket.
She died of 79 per cent burn injuries. Her statement could not be recorded, sources stated, as she was in pain. “The doctors had advised against anyone’s presence close to her as she could have been infected. The burn injuries were also painful to her. She succumbed at 2 am on Monday,” an officer said.
While the police have booked Warden Rita Fernandes, aged 51 years, and Helper Meena Dabre, aged 48 years; the District Child Protection Unit will conduct an inspection of the accident scene on Wednesday. With the Sub Divisional Magistrate also conducting a parallel inquiry, the Department of Women & Child Development has called for a report from the CWC and the Old Goa Police for further action.
