Apna Ghar: Suspects no more want media coverage

The suspects in the Rohtak shelter home abuse case have moved an application from Ambala jail to ban publishing the trial proceedings.

Caretaker of Apna Ghar Jaswanti Devi, her brother Jaswant Singh, daughter Simmi, brother-in-law Jai Bhagwan, driver Satish, his sister Sheila and shelter home counsellor Veena are lodged at the Ambala jail for allegedly abusing the inmates physically and sexually.

They submitted before the CBI special magistrate, Haryana, that from the "beginning of the investigation of the case, the media (both print and electronic) have been affecting our dignity".

They pointed out that "use of defamatory words such as "Mamla Apna Ghar Mein Dhandhe Ka", "House of Horror" and "Ganda Dhanda", is a direct attack on the dignity of suspects and their relatives even before the judgment is pronounced by the court".

They called media reports false sensational news and concocted stories (sic).

They said that members of their families were facing problems while commuting due to "adverse" publication in the media.

They pointed out that the contents of chargesheet were published in all leading newspapers on August 8, but they received its copy on August 28, after 20 days.

They alleged that the media was influencing the case.

Vishal Garg Narwana, counsel for Jaswanti Devi, said the application would come up for hearing on November 20.

The sexual abuse of inmates had come to light when the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) raided Apna Ghar shelter home on May 9.

The case was handed over to the CBI, which has filed chargesheets against Jaswanti, Jaswant Singh, Simmi, Jai Bhagwan, Satish, Veena and Sheila.