Eluru: The manager of an unregistered girls’ hostel located in Eluru town, Andhra Pradesh, faces allegations of sexually assaulting at least 14 residents. According to YV Ramana, the police inspector for Eluru II Town, the case of multiple sexual offenses emerged after seven victims reported their experiences to the police on Tuesday. The individual accused, Sashi Kumar, who served as a welfare officer at a boys’ BC hostel while also managing the unregistered facility, is currently evading capture.

Manager Operated A Photo Studio

In addition to his role at the hostel, he operated a photo studio in the town and had been overseeing the hostel for the past four years. The residents, who are students from various educational institutions in Eluru, were staying at the hostel as paying guests. Authorities have indicated that the hostel lacks the necessary permissions to operate. Preliminary investigations suggest that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the original management of the hostel failed to maintain it, which allowed Sashi Kumar to assume control. He appointed his second wife as the warden and his niece as the caretaker.

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Assault In Boys Hostel

The victims reported to police that the accused would take them to movies and subsequently sexually assault them in a nearby boys’ hostel. Those who resisted were subjected to physical violence and forced to kneel as punishment. One victim alleged that on September 15, the accused took her to Bapatla under the guise of a photo shoot, where he sexually assaulted her, returning her to the hostel only the following day. Law enforcement officials suspect that Sashi Kumar utilized his photo studio in Eluru to lure girls with promises of photo shoots, employing manipulative tactics to deceive them.

POCSO Filed

Eluru DSP Shravan Kumar conducted an inspection of the hostel upon learning of the allegations. He confirmed that police have recorded the statements of the victims to assess the full extent of the abuse. A case has been filed against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and additional charges will be added to the FIR against any accomplices once their involvement is confirmed. Sashi Kumar has been suspended from his position as welfare officer at the boys’ BC hostel. Surya Chakaraveni, the district child protection officer, is also involved in the case.

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