NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has closed suo motu proceedings against House of Kathleen, run by El Shaddai Charitable Trust in Assagao, stating that no illegality or exploitation of children for soliciting donations was found.
The case arose from a letter dated August 13, 2024, from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), North Goa, alleging violations of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, by some Child Care Institutions (CCI), including El Shaddai.
A Division Bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Nivedita P Mehta said that despite the cancellation of its registration as a CCI, the trust’s extensive charitable work should continue under its existing registrations as a society and
under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation)
Act, 2010.
“We must note the impressive work of El Shaddai which is highlighted before us through relevant excerpts from the children, who are benefited out of its charity offered,” the High Court stated.
The court stated it was unfortunate that the CWC had accused the non-profit, which runs several CCIs and community centres.
The CWC, after a surprise visit at the CCI on August 3, 2024, found 34 children, mostly from outside Goa, were housed, and some kids who were initially given custody to their parents were also readmitted without the
committee’s knowledge.
