Retna Velu, 25, the caretaker of an unlicensed children's welfare home in Batu Caves, was sentenced on May 21 to 11 years in prison and five strokes of the rotan for sexually abusing two boys aged between 8 and 10 years old [1, 2, 3].
The offences occurred between November 2025 and March 2026 at the welfare home, which was operating as a private company and was not registered with the Social Welfare Department [1, 2, 3]. Retna pleaded guilty on April 9 to charges under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act and Section 377C of the Penal Code for carnal intercourse against the order of nature [1, 2, 3].
Retna was arrested on April 3, and his 11-year sentence was ordered to run concurrently from that date [2, 3]. He was unrepresented during trial and showed emotional distress, pleading for leniency and breaking down in tears during proceedings. He told the court he was working as a lorry attendant and was seen wiping away tears with his shirt while looking toward victims’ families [2].
The court imposed one stroke of the cane for each of the first five charges, with no whipping ordered for one charge under Section 15(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. Retna was also ordered to undergo counselling during imprisonment and remain under police supervision for two years after release [3].
At least 12 of the 36 occupants of the unlicensed home were found to have been subjected to abuse. Medical exams confirmed old and new injuries consistent with sexual abuse on some male children [2]. Victims’ family members described psychological trauma among the boys, including withdrawal, fear, and academic decline. The mother of an 8-year-old said her child’s school performance deteriorated but improved after counselling. The aunt of a 10-year-old said the boy remained emotionally unstable, fearful of strangers, and frequently spoke about the trauma [3].
Police arrested four other suspects linked to the home, including its 31-year-old owner and three other workers aged 17 to 25 [2]. The investigation into the unlicensed operation and abuse revealed a wider network of suspects beyond Retna [2].
