Chhattisgarh: Arrested women's shelter manager refutes rape charges

Ujjwala Home Bilaspur, operated by NGO Shri Shivmangal Shikshan Samiti since 2014, landed in controversy on January 17 when a woman alleged that she was raped by its manager.

Bilaspur: Police on Thursday night arrested the manager of a shelter home for women in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district for allegedly raping one of its inmates.

Sarakanda police station Incharge, Jayprakash Maurya said that the accused, identified as Jitendra Mauryathe of Ujjawala Home was arrested and produced before the court where his statement was recorded under section 164 of the Indian Penal Code.

Earlier, women living in the Ujjawala Home had filed a report of assault and torture. The aggrieved women had also written a complaint against the counsellor of Ujjwala Home, Neelam Khunte.

During court proceedings, two women accused him of manhandling and one accused him of raping her. On the basis of their complaint, a case was registered under sections 376 and 254 of IPC.

On the other hand, accused Jitendra Maurya has refused all the allegations terming it 'a conspiracy' against him.

The State Women's Commission has also taken Suo Moto cognizance of the matter. Commission chairman Kiranmayi Nayak said that the hearing has been scheduled for Jan 28 in Bilaspur.

Ujjawala is a Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of trafficking and Rescue, Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Victims of Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

Read:Constable arrested for raping minor in Chhattisgarh