HC panel to probe into remand homes

inmate of the Bhiwandi remand home. The activist had alleged that the authorities had tried to hush up the death which occurred in unnatural circumstances. The committee has been directed to look into Perreira’s findings on the state of the remand homes with special reference to the Bhiwandi home, which he said lacked lacked facilities including medicines, drinking water, trained staff and vocational guidance for children.

The state in the affairs at the Bhiwandiremand home came into light in October, 1996 when Perreira was informed that three-year-old Parsuram Wagde was beaten to death on August 7, 1996. Official records of the home showed that Wagde was alive the previous day (August 6). However, records in the police station and the hospital both located in the remand home’s compound showed no mention of the death. Perreira’s enquires revealed that the boy had died due to severe blows on his rib cage by the attendants.

“If there is an incident of this type or in case of death whether natural or unnatural, the local police, hospital and even the collector should be informed with immediate effect,” the petitioner said. “But in this case nothing was done,” he added.

In December 1996, the high court had directed the Thane sessions judge to enquire into the matter. The sessions judge in his report admitted that the remand home lacked proper facilities. However, the report added the children are happy. However, the report was rejected by the high court. Thethree member committee comprises Kalindi Mazumdar of Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work, Asha Bajpai of the Department of Law, Tata Institute of Social Science and Dr Lalita D’Souza a pediatrician associated with the NGO Cehat. Perreira was represented by advocate Mahrukh Adenwala.