Eight Children Rescued from Child Home in Bhaktapur

Kathmandu. The National Child Rights Council has rescued eight children from a child home in Bhaktapur. A total of 8 children, including 2 boys and 6 girls, were rescued from the child home named 'Muskan Sewa Nepal' operated in Sipadol, Ward No. 8 of Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur district.

According to the Council, the child home did not fully comply with the 'Standards for Operating Child Homes' and as there was a possibility of the children dependent there being at risk, they were rescued on Jestha 28. The Council stated that the children were rescued and resettled in a safe place in direct coordination and cooperation with Suryabinayak Municipality and the Child Search Coordination Center.

In a statement issued by Ram Bahadur Chand, Information Officer of the Child Rights Council, it is mentioned that operating a child home without fully complying with the Children Act, 2075 and related regulations and standards is against the law. According to sub-section (2) of section 66 of the Act, keeping children in a child home in violation of the law is considered violence, and there is a legal provision of a fine of up to fifty thousand rupees and imprisonment for up to one year for such acts.

The Council has warned against operating child homes without permission or without fulfilling the prescribed standards, and has stated that strict action will be taken according to the prevailing law if they are operated. Furthermore, the public has been appealed to immediately inform the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, or the National Child Rights Council if any child home is found to be operating in violation of the standards.

The Council has also urged the local child rights committees and child welfare officers to regularly monitor and inspect the child homes in their respective areas and submit reports.