Illegal Confinement Of Girls At Rohini Ashram: Delhi HC Asks CBI To Submit Report On Founder's Whereabouts [Read Order]

The Delhi High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a report on the whereabouts of Mr. Virender Dev Dixit, who is the founder of Rohini Ashram.

The Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar is hearing a PIL filed by the Foundation for Social Empowerment, which has alleged that several minors and women are being illegally confined at the Ashram and are not being allowed to meet their parents.

During a recent hearing, the Court found substance in the submission by the panel appointed by it that the ashram and Mr. Dixit were instigating the girls housed there to lodge false complaints against their family members. The Court was, in fact, informed that during an inspection, the team found bags full of complaints "in almost identical language".

Opining that the complaints seem to be "motivated" so as to discourage the Petitioners, the Court observed, "These complaints being filed by inmates years (even decades) after they started living in the respondent no.6 (ashram) prima facie appear to be not only false but clearly motivated so as to discourage relatives from pursuing the present writ petition as well as the complaints which have been lodged against the respondent nos.5 and 6...

... It is difficult, if not possible, to believe that scores of women with similar allegations all against the close relatives, all came together under one roof. The fact that these complaints have all been bunched together and are in the possession and control of respondent no.6 further creates serious doubt on their veracity. On the contrary, these facts lend substance to the submissions of the petitioner."

The Court was also informed by the State that the Delhi Police has been directed to forward to the CBI any complaints received by the Ashram inmates.

The matter has now been listed on 5 February.