It has been revealed that proprietor of Abinash Orphanage in Kotihawa has been molesting orphans.

Ashish Thapa, 29, of Hatbazaar in SiddharthnagarN.P.3, who is also the managing director of the orphanage, had been sexually abusing orphans, according to SP Rabindra Regmi. Ashish is the son of Ramesh Thapa, the chairperson of the managing committee of the orphanage.

SP Thapa said that though police arrested Ramesh after the incident became public, Ashish has been absconding.

34 orphans have been taking shelter at the orphanage home which is funded by Christian missionaries. Children from age 9 to 14 are kept at the orphanage.

The incident surfaced after a 14-year-old girl at the orphanage reported to police that Ashish had been molesting her from a year.

Chief District Officer Hari Krishna Paudel and police chief SP Regmi said that the incident was very sensitive.

A joint team comprising CDO Paudel, SP Regmi, chief of Women and Children's Office Usha Rawal had rescued the orphans from the orphanage on June 11, a week after the victim filed complaint at police.

Managing Committee members including the chairperson have been arrested while the district child welfare committee Rupandehi has filed a case at the police on June 11.