The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) has recommended that the state government take stringent disciplinary actions, including termination of services, against three government employees allegedly involved in a sex racket exploiting minor girls. Among the accused are a police constable and two other government employees.
The case, which came to light in August through the testimonies of the minor victims, has resulted in the registration of a formal case and the arrest of nine individuals.
Three of the arrested individuals are considered the prime suspects in the rape and sexual exploitation of minors. The racket is said to have operated from 2019 to 2024, continuing unchecked for nearly four years.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the case, the APSCPCR called the extended operation of the racket and the systemic abuse of minors “alarming.”
According to the Commission’s findings, the main accused, Chaya Dulom—an attendant in the Department of Health and Family Welfare—and her husband, David Dulom, a surveyor in the Water Resources Department, allegedly lured adolescent girls into the racket.
The victims were reportedly subjected to repeated sexual exploitation, some being assaulted multiple times a day.
The Commission also highlighted the role of police constable Hainu Naiham, who is accused of coercing victims into cooperating with the perpetrators rather than protecting them.
Expressing serious concerns over the complicity of government employees in such crimes, the APSCPCR called for the dismissal of those involved to prevent further incidents.
The racket, which operated under the guise of a restaurant-cum-bar in Itanagar, reportedly enticed adolescent girls with the promise of employment.
The Commission noted that the prolonged operation of the racket raises concerns about additional victims and perpetrators yet to be identified.
It also flagged potential gaps in the investigation, pointing out that the number of victims exceeds the number of accused, which it found “highly questionable.”
There are also concerns about the involvement of influential individuals who may be attempting to obstruct the investigation.
To address these issues, the APSCPCR has recommended the formation of a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough and unbiased inquiry.
The Commission also called for prompt disbursement of compensation to the victims under the Arunachal Pradesh Victim Compensation Scheme, 2011.
During its investigation, the Commission identified nine victims who were over 18 years old, and their cases have been referred to the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) for further support and intervention.
The APSCPCR stressed the need for strict disciplinary action against government employees involved in such heinous crimes and emphasized that only a comprehensive and transparent investigation will uncover the full extent of the racket and ensure justice for the victims.
“The prolonged operation of this racket in the state capital highlights systemic failures. An urgent, thorough investigation is needed to reveal the full scale of this crime,” the Commission’s report concluded.
