Five kids rescued from farmhouse in Varuna

In a joint operation, the Child Welfare Committee, the District Child Protection Unit, the Special Juvenile Police Unit and the South Police rescued five children from a farmhouse at Kempegowdanahundi in Varuna hobli on T Narsipur road on the outskirts of the city on Tuesday.

 The children have been identified as Babita, 12; Kavita, 11; Velarasu, five; Velarasan, three; and Durga, two. They have been sent to Bapuji Children’s Home for care and protection.

 Acting on a tip-off by villagers, the authorities raided the farmhouse owned by Zafarulla, a resident of Lashkar Mohalla near KR Park. 

 Sources said Mayappa, the father of the children, who is a native of Pudumalai in Tamil Nadu, had been employed as a labourer at the farm for over a month.
Following the death of his wife Chamundeshwari in a road accident, he had brought the children to the farm.

Five days ago, following news that his mother had been injured in an accident, Mayappa had left the children in the farm and rushed to his native village.

While there are contrasting versions as to why Mayappa did not take the children home with him, it is alleged that Zafarulla had forcibly kept them back as “collateral,” to force Mayappa to return to work.

Decrepit room

According to sources, the children were forced to stay in a decrepit room meant for chicken. They were also half-starved.

Before he had left, Mayappa had left a bag of raw rice, which the children did not know to cook.

To make matters worse, Zafarulla had warned them against plucking fruits in the farm.

The plight of the children was discovered two days ago, when villagers noticed them wandering in the farm and seeing their emaciated condition, gave them food. They also informed the police.

Venkatesh, the president of the Child Welfare Committee, told Deccan Herald that according to Babita, she had also done menial jobs in the farm, besides helping Kavita take care of their younger siblings.

The Child Welfare Committee has booked a case against Zafarulla under the Juvenile Justice Act 2000, 32/2. “He has been summoned for an inquiry.

He has also been asked to bring Mayappa along with him,” Venkatesh said.

 The rescue party consisted of District Child Protection officer Sumalatha and Special Juvenile Police Unit office-bearer Prasanna, assisted by sub-inspector of South Police station Venkateshaiah.