A committee comprising Malini Bhattacharya and Yasmin Abrar, both members of NCW, will be visiting the womens’ home on Tuesday. The WCD will also ask the Chief Secretary and the state administration for a comprehensive report in the matter.

Over 40 policemen allegedly entered the home on Saturday evening following reports that the inmates had turned unruly. With only two women constables in the police party, the policemen allegedly restrained the women forcefully and also beat them up. The inmates said they were only complaining about the cramped living conditions and lack of basic facilities.

Meanwhile, according to SSP Karnal, both the Deputy SP and the SDM were present on the spot and “no force was used on the women.” Instead he said the inmates turned violent and broke glass panes and threatened the staff of the home. “It was a power cut in the area which triggered the whole incident, “ he said.

When asked about the presence of women constables, he confirmed that there were not “too many women constables”. There are 45 women constables against 1300 male policemen in Karnal.

An FIR has been lodged by the Superintendent of the home against the inmates under several sections of the IPC: damage to property, rioting, hindering Government staff in their duty and threatening officials.

An earlier inspection by a sessions judge had found several irregularities in the running of the home. Present superintendent Ranjini Malik is still facing an inquiry in connection with the matter. When contacted, Malik confirmed that the living conditions of the home were sufficient for 20 but there were 59 inmates at present. She however said the women “with criminal bent of mind” created such a violent scene that she had to call in the police.

District Magistrate Balbir Malik also said that “all the allegations of the inmates have been looked into and found baseless.” He said the complaints of sexual assault were “false and frivolous”.