Minor employed as help, tortured for five months

A 12-year-old girl, working as a full-time domestic help, was allegedly tortured for around five months by her employers at Hauz Rani in south Delhi, police said.

The incident came to light after the victim’s aunt from Gonda in Uttar Pradesh came to the Capital to rescue the girl. Police registered a case on Thursday.

The girl, who is from Midnapore in West Bengal, had visited the  aunt Madina Khatoon six months back, when a neighbour came up with a proposal. Khatoon's neighbour Maajid offered a job for the girl at his son and daughter-in-law’s home in Delhi.

He assured that they would take care of her like their own child, and even get her admitted to school.

He also went to Midnapore to convince the girl’s mother. He gave her Rs 1,000 and promised to give the child a mobile phone so that the mother and daughter could remain in touch.

Five months ago, Maajid took the victim to his son Abdul Halim’s house in Hauz Rani in Malviya Nagar area. Abdul works as an electrician and his wife is a nurse at a private hospital. For the last two months the girl’s mobile phone remained switched off.

Worried about her, the mother called up Madina Khatoon. Khatoon then contacted Maajid, asking him to bring her niece back.

Khatoon went to Malviya Nagar market to meet  Maajid, who said he would bring the girl to her in 15 minutes. Maajid didn't return even after an hour.

On Wednesday, Khatoon met Maajid again, this time along with an acquaintance from Narela.

They warned Maajid that if he did not return the child to them, they would inform police. Maajid came back with the victim in a few minutes. He also gave Khatoon Rs 1,500 and requested her to not file a police complaint.

Khatoon and the child went to the acquaintance's place. On Thursday, Khatoon saw injury marks on her niece and stories of her torture. She approached police.

The child was admitted to Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital. After treatment, Narela police officials informed Malviya Nagar police station about the incident.

After an initial probe, police registered a case of torture and booked the couple under the Juvenile Justice Act. The two have been called in for questioning.