Jharkhand commission recommends closure of 35 shelter homes following allegations

The Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Saturday recommended closure of 35 shelter homes, including Nirmal Hriday run by the Missionaries of Charity.

The recommendation comes in the wake of an inquiry into allegations that shelter homes run by non-government organisations in the state were involved in the illegal sale of children.

The allegations, which surfaced in June, said that Nirmal Hriday was involved in selling four children to childless couples.

Ranchi Police had arrested a nun and an employee of Nirmal Hriday.

The Commission had initiated a probe into 126 shelter homes in the state after the allegations first surfaced.

The Commission's Chairperson Arti Kujur had formed three teams, one of which was led by her.

"Based on the documents recovered from the shelter homes, the Commission has recommended closure of 35 shelter homes and 24 shelter homes have been asked to improve their condition," Kujur told reporters here.

(With inputs from agencies.)