A detailed complaint has been submitted to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the functioning of St. Anthony’s Orphanage in Adoni, Andhra Pradesh. The complaint, filed by the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), alleges that the institution has been operating orphanages without the mandatory statutory recognition required under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, while receiving substantial foreign contributions for orphan welfare and related activities. The complaint further raises concerns regarding child rights, governance, financial transparency, and compliance with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).

RTI response allegedly raises questions over legal recognition

As per reports from The Commune, according to the complaint, information obtained under the Right to Information Act from the District Women and Child Development Agency, Kurnool, allegedly does not include St. Anthony’s Orphanage in the official list of registered childcare institutions operating in the district. The complainant further states that telephonic verification with officials from the District Probation Office and District Child Protection Unit indicated that the institution had not been granted recognition as a child care institution under the Juvenile Justice Act. If verified, the complaint argues, operating an orphanage without such registration would constitute a serious violation of child protection laws.

Foreign contributions worth ₹3.79 crore under scrutiny

The complaint also points to annual FC-4 returns filed before the Ministry of Home Affairs, alleging that St. Anthony’s Orphanage received ₹37,916,457 in foreign contributions between the financial years 2006-07 and 2018-19. According to the complaint, these funds were received for purposes including construction and management of the orphanage, educational activities, social programs, and maintenance. Since the institution’s FCRA registration remains valid until 31 March 2029, the complainant has urged the authorities to examine whether additional foreign contributions have been received in subsequent years and whether such funds have been utilized in accordance with law.

The LRPF has urged the NHRC to investigate whether children have been residing at the institution without the legal protections mandated under the Juvenile Justice Act. The complaint calls for verification of whether the District Child Protection Unit, Child Welfare Committee, and District Administration were informed about children housed at the orphanage; whether proper records were maintained; and whether mandatory standards relating to nutrition, healthcare, education, inspections, and child safety were followed.

Social media and public material cited in the complaint

The complaint refers to publicly available material, including the institution’s social media pages, and alleges that St. Anthony’s Orphanage has portrayed itself as operating separate orphanages for boys and girls in Adoni under the administration of the Diocese of Kurnool. It further identifies Fr. P. John David as the institution’s director and states that diocesan publications and newsletters cover the orphanage’s activities, which the complainant argues indicate an administrative relationship between the diocese and the institution.

Financial and administrative links with diocese-linked organizations

Another major aspect of the complaint concerns the alleged overlap of office bearers between St. Anthony’s Orphanage and other FCRA-registered organizations linked to the Diocese of Kurnool, including the Diocesan Educational Society, the Kurnool Diocese Social Service Society, and the Diocese of Kurnool Society. According to the complaint, several individuals simultaneously hold leadership positions across these organizations. The complainant has urged authorities to examine whether these overlapping governance structures resulted in coordinated financial operations, conflicts of interest, or improper movement of foreign contributions between interconnected entities.

The complaint contends that if an institution receiving foreign contributions for orphan welfare were not operating as a legally recognized child care institution, serious questions would arise regarding regulatory compliance, transparency in governance, and the use of foreign funds. It calls upon the Ministry of Home Affairs to examine whether foreign contributions were received and utilized in accordance with the objectives declared under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.

Call for a comprehensive inspection

The LRPF has requested that the NHRC order a detailed inspection of all premises allegedly operated by St. Anthony’s Orphanage, verify the identity and legal status of every child residing there, examine institutional records, and obtain reports from the District Child Protection Unit, the Child Welfare Committee, and the District Collector. The complaint also seeks scrutiny of financial transactions and operational linkages between St. Anthony’s Orphanage and other diocese-linked organizations receiving foreign contributions.

Describing the matter as one involving vulnerable children, the complainant has urged the NHRC to ensure that no child is housed outside the statutory child protection framework. The complaint states that if any violations are established following investigation, appropriate criminal, regulatory, and administrative action should be initiated against those found responsible.

No official findings yet

At present, a complaint has been submitted to the National Human Rights Commission. The NHRC has not yet announced the outcome of any inquiry, and no findings have been made regarding the allegations. St. Anthony’s Orphanage and the Diocese of Kurnool have not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the complaint. Any investigation by the NHRC or other competent authorities will determine whether any violations of law have occurred.

Over the past several years, Andhra Pradesh has witnessed multiple complaints and official representations concerning the functioning of certain missionary-run institutions, particularly in matters relating to alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), governance, child protection, and regulatory compliance.

The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) has consistently brought to the attention of authorities several cases involving alleged irregularities in the functioning of Christian missionary-run institutions, including matters relating to foreign funding, governance, and statutory compliance. By relying on RTI documents, government records, and regulatory filings, the organization has sought official scrutiny of institutions where it believes public accountability is required. The present complaint continues that pattern of civic engagement, with the final determination resting upon the findings of the National Human Rights Commission and other competent authorities.