On December 23, a complaint was registered at Chunabhatti police station by a 40-year-old Pune-based woman, that her 12-year-old boy, who was adopted by the Mumbai-based advocate and his wife, was being harassed by them, and was working as domestic help.
The Mumbai suburban child welfare committee (CWC) on Monday directed Chunabhatti police to submit a report within 15 days in a case of suspected illegal adoption and alleged assault and harassment of a 12-year-old boy by a Mumbai-based advocate, Ramchandra Shinde, and his wife Shivani.
During a hearing on Monday, the CWC directed police to investigate the matter and submit a report after recording a fresh statement from the child, as well as others associated with the case. The CWC also directed the police to probe into whether the child was illegally adopted.
On December 23, a complaint was registered at Chunabhatti police station by a 40-year-old Pune-based woman, that her 12-year-old boy, who was adopted by the Mumbai-based advocate and his wife, was being harassed by them, and was working as domestic help.
The boy also said he was tortured for two years. He was rescued on December 19, 2016 by NGO Pratham and was sent to a children's home in Mankhurd.
"In 2014, the couple approached the boy's mother, wanting to adopt her son who was living in Pune's Ashram School. The mother first refused but agreed later keeping in mind her son's future. The couple did not complete the proper procedure and adopted the child illegally. Initially, they treated the child well, but started ill-treating him later. Shivani would tell him to do all the housework — from sweeping, mopping to washing clothes and kitchen utensils," alleged Dhananjay Kamble, programme manager of Pratham.
After Ramchandra's death in November 2016, the boy called up his mother and complained to her about the treatment allegedly meted out to him by Shivani.
"The child was being bullied and harassed by the couple. One day, he called his mother and complained about what was happening. He said that he did not want to live in the house anymore. Following the call, the mother came to Shinde's house to take the boy back, but she was not entertained there," Kamble alleged.
Sunil Bhosle, Senior Police Inspector of Chunabhatti police station, said he was not aware of the details of the case.
"The CWC heard the matter on Monday. I cannot make a comment now," Bhosle said.
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