A chilling scandal has rocked the Red Cross School for the Blind, Deaf, and Mute in Paramanandapur, Kalahandi district, Odisha, where vulnerable students – many unable to speak, hear, or see – have leveled grave accusations of physical and sexual abuse against their male warden, Sandhya Darshan Mahapatra. The institution, established in 1995 under the Indian Red Cross Society to provide education, boarding, and rehabilitation for over 150 physically challenged children from low-income families, now faces scrutiny over systemic failures in safeguarding its most defenseless residents.
Disturbing Allegations from Students
Students, aged 8 to 18, have reported repeated instances of inappropriate physical contact, including groping, touching private areas, and forcibly dragging girls to isolated spots within the school premises. Boys claim that attempts to report these incidents resulted in severe repercussions, such as beatings, isolation, and psychological torment, exacerbating their trauma. Given their disabilities, victims communicated distress through sign language, gestures, and written notes – evidence captured in videos and complaints submitted to authorities.
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Graphic footage circulating online shows Mahapatra making unwanted advances: in one clip, he repeatedly touches a girl's back and shoulder despite her visible recoiling and attempts to pull away; another depicts him gripping a female student's arm in a dimly lit, secluded corner of the dormitory, far from supervisory oversight. These acts allegedly occurred during evening routines or unsupervised hours, exploiting the students' communication barriers and the school's remote location, 20 km from Kalahandi's district headquarters.
Official Response and Investigation
Kalahandi District Child Protection Officer Shailendra Mahapatra confirmed receipt of formal complaints against "some employees" for harassment and sexual exploitation. A high-powered committee, chaired by Additional District Magistrate (ADM-General) Santosh Kumar Upadhyay and including child welfare experts, psychologists, and Red Cross representatives, has been constituted to probe the matter. The preliminary inquiry, completed within 48 hours, uncovered corroborative evidence from 12 students.
“We have received complaints against some employees regarding the harassment and sexual exploitation of children,” Shailendra Mahapatra told NDTV. “A report will be submitted to the District Collector, after which appropriate action will be taken. If the allegations against the concerned individual are proven true, strict legal action will be taken under the POCSO Act and other relevant laws. Detailed information cannot be shared at this stage; facts will emerge post-final report.”
The warden has been suspended pending investigation, and counseling support deployed for affected students. Odisha's Women and Child Development Department has directed enhanced security measures, including CCTV installation and mandatory background checks for staff.
Broader Implications and Calls for Reform
This incident highlights vulnerabilities in special needs institutions across India, where over 2.6 million disabled children rely on residential care, often under-resourced. Activists from the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) demand immediate POCSO registration, Mahapatra's arrest, and a statewide audit of similar schools. Child rights groups emphasize training in recognizing non-verbal abuse cues and enforcing the Juvenile Justice Act's zero-tolerance policy.
The community in Kalahandi, a socio-economically challenged region, expresses outrage, with parents protesting outside the school for justice and accountability. As the probe unfolds, the focus remains on protecting these silenced voices and preventing future atrocities.
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