A routine inspection of child care institutions along Chennai's East Coast Road took a dramatic turn when two girls attempted to flee, leading officials to a shocking discovery. This escape attempt unveiled an illegal private child care centre operating from a residential building, flouting multiple regulations meant to protect vulnerable children.
Inspection Reveals Hidden Operation
The incident occurred in the Kanathur Reddikuppam area, where a district-level team comprising police officers, social defence officials, and medical professionals was conducting checks. Their focus was on a government-recognized children's home authorized to house only boys. However, during the inspection, officials spotted two girls on the premises, which immediately raised red flags.
Upon noticing the authorities, the two girls tried to leave the campus discreetly through a rear entrance. Their attempt was thwarted by a vigilant government official waiting in a vehicle, who stopped them and asked for an explanation. The girls were unable to provide clear answers about their presence. When their parents were contacted, the responses were conflicting, with some claiming the children were merely staying in a 'hostel'.
Unapproved Centre Exposed
The suspicious behaviour prompted the inspection team to question the owner of the registered boys' home. Under questioning, the owner confessed to running another centre nearby without any official approval. Acting on this information, the team proceeded to inspect a rented single-storey house located within half a kilometre of the initial home.
What they found was alarming. Twenty-one children were housed in the unapproved facility. A police officer from the Kanathur station reported that the children were living in confined rooms, and the premises completely lacked the surveillance systems that are mandatory for such institutions under the law.
Further enquiries revealed a serious legal breach: the children had not been produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) before being placed at the facility. This is a direct violation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which mandates CWC oversight for the placement of children in care.
Sources of Children and Sealing of Premises
Authorities investigating the case found that several children were referred to this illegal centre through churches in southern Tamil Nadu districts, including Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli. Some children were also from Tiruvannamalai district. The children predominantly came from families where parents were unable to care for them.
Investigations also uncovered that the centre had been receiving both local and foreign donations for nearly five years, operating under the radar. Following the discovery, the Chengalpet district administration took immediate action. Using the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, they sealed the illegal premises.
In the aftermath, nearly 15 children from the involved institutions were safely handed over to their parents. The remaining children were shifted to other government-recognized homes to ensure their care and protection. This case marks the fourth illegal child care centre shut down in the Chengalpet district in the past two years, highlighting ongoing enforcement efforts.
