The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to trace the founder of Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya, an institution in North Delhi’s Rohini area, where children and young women were allegedly being sexually assaulted and illegally confined.
The bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar asked Virender Dev Dixit to be present before it on January 4, reported PTI.
“If he has done nothing wrong, there is no difficulty in him joining the investigation,” the bench said, according to The Hindu. It added that failing this, a warrant would be issued against Dikshit. The court asked for a list of all eight ashrams headed by Dikshit, reported ANI. It also asked for details of the ashram’s finances and source of funds.
On Wednesday, the High Court had asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to inspect the ashram. The order came after NGO Foundation for Social Empowerment and the parents of three girls moved the court claiming many young women were raped at the Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya and several had committed suicide but no case was ever registered.
A court-appointed committee, which included Delhi Commission for Women’s chief Swati Maliwal and the police, had inspected the facility on Wednesday. “Over 100 girls were housed in animal-like conditions with no privacy,” advocate Nandita Rao told the court.
She also said that many who were confined there appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. “The inmates were kept in close confinement in dark spaces with no sunlight and metal grill, with nowhere to exit. The sleeping area is also monitored and the girls have no privacy.”
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!