A disturbing case of brutality and exploitation has come to light from a residential mental care facility in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district. A 30-year-old woman admitted to the shelter for medical treatment and specialized attention was allegedly subjected to sexual assault, repeated beatings, and unpaid agricultural labor. The incident took place at the Maa Seva Sansthan shelter home, located in Adarsh Nagar Pratappura under the Bagar police station limits. The facility, which openly claimed to provide rehabilitation and compassionate care for mentally challenged individuals, is now under intensive police investigation following severe allegations of institutional abuse.
Sexual Assault on the First Day of Admission
Following a formal complaint submitted by the victim's mother, Bagar police registered an FIR against the facility's operator, Banwarilal Saini, and his wife under stringent penal provisions. According to the mother's statement, her 30-year-old daughter had been dealing with mental health challenges for some time. Seeking professional recovery and dependable care, the family chose to admit her to this residential facility. However, after the family brought the survivor back home on September 28, she disclosed the harrowing ordeal she endured behind closed doors. The survivor directly alleged that Banwarilal Saini sexually assaulted her on the very day she was admitted to the center.
Forced Agricultural Labor and Systematic Physical Abuse
The ordeal extended far beyond the initial assault, turning into months of systematic harassment and mistreatment. Both the operator and his wife allegedly beat the woman repeatedly. In a bid to demean and discipline her, the administrators forcibly shaved off her hair. According to the survivor, the center routinely coerced mentally impaired male and female residents into strenuous manual labor in nearby agricultural fields. Despite making them toil through demanding hours, the management denied them basic necessities, failing to provide sufficient daily food, clean drinking water, or even tea. The survivor pointed out that violence was commonplace against all inmates. Additionally, a female cook at the facility, identified as Geeta, was accused of burning the survivor's personal clothes.
Coerced Signatures on Blank Stamp Papers
Alongside severe physical and psychological atrocities, an element of extortion and fraud was also uncovered during the reporting process. The victim's mother informed the police that both during her daughter's admission and at the time of discharge, Banwarilal demanded signed paperwork. He forced her son to sign two blank bond and stamp papers worth Rs 100 each, keeping the signed documents in his possession. The family expressed genuine fear that the accused might fabricate contracts or threats on these blank signed sheets to frame, blackmail, or intimidate them into dropping legal proceedings.
Police Launch Probe and Inspect Facility Conditions
Law enforcement authorities acted swiftly upon receiving the formal complaint regarding the shelter home. Bagar Police Station In-charge CI Mukesh Kumar stated that, recognizing the gravity of the violations, an FIR has been formally registered under various stringent sections. The police quickly coordinated a mandatory medical examination for the survivor. Simultaneously, a specialized police unit was dispatched to inspect the living conditions of other residents lodged at the care home and scrutinize the institution's ongoing day-to-day operations.
