CBI files first chargesheet against accused in 'Rohtak Apna Ghar' case

The CBI filed the first chargesheet against Jaswanti Devi and six other accused in the Rohtak Apna Ghar sexual abuse case before special CBI magistrate Gurvinder Kaur here on Tuesday.

The CBI filed the chargesheet on charges of rape, molestation, causing miscarriage without woman's consent, voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful compulsory labour, criminal intimidation, cruelty to juvenile or child and criminal conspiracy.

The other six named in the chargesheet are Jaswanti's brother Jaswant Singh, daughter Simmi, son-in-law Jai Bhagwan, driver Satish, his sister Sheela and counsellor Veena.

Filing the chargesheet on Tuesday was mandatory as the 90-day period for filing it ended on Tuesday, or the accused would have been entitled to bail.

Meanwhile, the CBI still has time to file the chargesheet against Bhim Singh Ranga, former investigating officer in the case, Dayanand and Harvinder Singh. Ranga, who recently retired, had illegally handed over the case property, including laptops, to Dayanand. Dayanand had confessed that he had given the SIM and mobile of Jaswanti to his relative Harvinder Singh.

Bharat Vikas Sangh was registered in 1994 as an NGO. Jaswanti is the secretary of the NGO and used to look after its affairs with the help of her daughter Simmi. Jaswanti ran the project Apna Ghar for destitute/orphan children and Swadhar for adult women. Both the projects were being run from her house, No 1674/22, Shri Nagar Colony, Rohtak. The house is also known as Apna Ghar.

How did the matter come to light?

Three girl inmates escaped from Apna Ghar on May 7. They reached New Delhi and were being counselled at Nirmal Chaya, Tihar. They revealed the activities at Apna Ghar. A team under the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights visited Apna Ghar on May 9 and interviewed the inmates. The seven people mentioned in the chargesheet were arrested on May 10.

Jai bhagwan used to beat deaf and dumb

Jai Bhagwan "used to beat" her with an iron rod in case she did not accede to his demand to "undress". He raped her when she had gone to harvest wheat following which she became pregnant. Jaswanti gave her some tablets and an injection and when she refused to take these, Jai Bhagwan assaulted her and forced her to take the medicines, as a result of which she suffered abortion twice. Jaswanti used to force her into making lesbian relations and whenever Jai Bhagwan raped her, Jaswanti and Simmi would watch it."

Jaswanti used to get her head massaged from her, get the floors mopped and the utensils cleaned; whenever she refused, she was assaulted. They also took her pictures in the nude.

Jaswanti burnt her with hot tongs

An inmate alleged, "Jaswanti burnt me with hot tongs." When Jai Bhagwan was molesting another inmate, she had objected. Then Jai Bhagwan dragged her to a room and tried to rape her by stuffing her mouth with a cloth. However, she was saved as two girls came to her rescue. Later, one day, when Jaswanti was sitting in the office, Jai Bhagwan put a saree in her mouth, took her to the room and raped her.

Rape recorded on video

According to an inmate, Satish and Jai Bhagwan used to rape her in the presence of Jaswanti and Simmi, who would record it on a video camera. She got pregnant but the child was aborted after giving her medicines. Even after the abortion, Jai Bhagwan and Satish used to rape her and they were even forced into group sex, and Jaswanti, Simmi and Sheela would watch it. In case they refused to participate, they were assaulted.

'Jaswanti kicked my pregnant mother following which she died'

A 10-year-old girl, who was molested, said, "Jaswanti kicked my pregnant mother in the stomach, resulting in her death in two to three days with her unborn child." One more inmate had supported this fact, adding that one more inmate had also died because of an assault by Jaswanti.

The CBI said investigation into these issues was being carried out. The 10-year-old girl said they were made to consume liquor; and Jaswanti, Simmi, Satish and Jaswant would beat up the children.

Counsellor sold baby girl for Rs 21,000

"Veena was employed as a counsellor in Apna Ghar and had access and control over the inmates. Veena in conspiracy with Jaswant had sold a newborn girl of one of the inmates of Apna Ghar to Jagdish, resident of Rohtak, for Rs 21,000."

Inmates used as labour

"Inmates were forced to work in agricultural fields of Jaswant Singh, Jaswanti and Jai Bhagwan. The inmates were used as labourers during the construction of Apna Ghar, Rohtak. Neighbours said they had heard children in Apna Ghar crying and requesting not to be beaten up."