St Anthony's orphanage under Kurnool Diocese (File Photo)
The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) has submitted a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), seeking an immediate inquiry into the alleged operation of an unregistered orphanage by St Anthony’s Orphanage in Adoni, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh.
In its representation, the organisation has alleged that the orphanage, which it says is affiliated with the Diocese of Kurnool, has been operating without the mandatory registration required under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, while receiving substantial foreign contributions under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
The complaint also seeks an investigation into the alleged financial and administrative links between the orphanage and other Diocese-affiliated organisations.
According to the complaint submitted by LRPF, St Anthony’s Orphanage is a registered society, incorporated in March 2004, with its registered office in Adoni, Kurnool district. The organisation is also registered under the FCRA, valid until March 31, 2029.
Citing annual FCRA returns submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the complaint states that St Anthony’s Orphanage received foreign contributions amounting to Rs 3,79,16,457 between the financial years 2006-07 and 2018-19.
According to the representation, the funds were received for purposes including construction and management of the orphanage, educational activities, social activities, and maintenance of the orphanage.
LRPF further stated that, since the FCRA registration remains valid until 2029, additional foreign contributions may have been received in subsequent years.
According to LRPF, St Anthony’s Orphanage did not figure in the list of licensed or registered Child Care Institutions maintained by the district authorities.
The forum also claimed that telephonic inquiries with the District Probation Officer and the District Child Protection Officer, Kurnool, confirmed that the institution had not been granted approval or recognition as a Child Care Institution under the Juvenile Justice Act framework.
Referring to publicly available material, the complaint states that St Anthony’s Orphanage operates separate orphanages for boys and girls in Adoni under the administration of the Diocese of Kurnool.
It further alleges that the institution publicly presents itself as an orphanage engaged in child welfare activities while seeking public legitimacy and foreign support.
The complaint identifies Fr. P. John David as the Director of the institution and states that he also serves as an Assistant Parish Priest under the Diocese of Kurnool, citing diocesan records. It also refers to diocesan newsletters, which, according to LRPF, repeatedly mention the activities of St Anthony’s Orphanage, suggesting an institutional relationship between the Diocese and the orphanage.
The representation further alleges that examination of FCRA returns and NGO records reveals financial and administrative links between St Anthony’s Orphanage and other Diocese-affiliated organisations, namely the Diocesan Educational Society, Kurnool Diocese Social Service Society, and Diocese of Kurnool Society.
According to the complaint, several office-bearers hold positions across these entities. Gorantla Jawaharlal Nehru is stated to be President of St Anthony’s Orphanage as well as President of the Diocesan Educational Society, Kurnool Diocese Social Service Society and Diocese of Kurnool Society.
Mese Prasanna Kumar is identified as Secretary of St Anthony’s Orphanage and Vice-President of the Diocesan Educational Society.
Mendem Ananda Kumar is stated to be a member of both St Anthony’s Orphanage and the Diocesan Educational Society, while David Arulappa is identified as a member of St Anthony’s Orphanage and Vice-President of the Diocese of Kurnool Society.
LRPF contends that these overlapping positions indicate centralised administrative control and possible operational coordination among the Diocese-affiliated organisations.
In its complaint, LRPF alleges that if children are being housed in the institution without registration under Section 41 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, it would amount to a statutory violation and raise serious child protection concerns.
It has also sought an inquiry into whether the institution complied with statutory requirements relating to reporting children to the Child Welfare Committee, District Collector and other competent authorities, whether foreign contributions were obtained by representing the institution as a recognised orphanage, whether prescribed standards relating to child welfare and institutional oversight were followed, and whether there was any diversion or transfer of foreign contributions among connected Diocese-affiliated entities.
Appealing for intervention, LRPF has requested the NHRC to order a comprehensive inquiry into the functioning of St Anthony’s Orphanage, direct inspection of all premises operated as orphanages or child care institutions, verify the identity and legal status of children residing there, and examine whether the institution has been operating without the mandatory registration prescribed under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
The forum has also urged the Commission to obtain records from the District Child Protection Unit, Child Welfare Committee and District Collector, recommend an investigation by the Ministry of Home Affairs into the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions, examine the financial and operational linkages between St Anthony’s Orphanage and other FCRA-registered entities affiliated with the Diocese of Kurnool, and recommend appropriate criminal, regulatory and statutory action if any violations are established.
Recently, some church-linked organisations claimed that the FCRA amendments were aimed at curtailing the work of Christian organisations. However, allegations have also emerged in several cases that certain church-affiliated institutions have concealed unauthorised activities and failed to comply with the laws of the land.
