Haryana commission orders probe into torture of minor domestic help

The Haryana Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Friday ordered a probe into the alleged torture of a minor domestic help, who jumped from a building to escape her employer.

The commission has ordered the Faridabad deputy commissioner to submit a report into the matter within five days.

“I have directed the deputy commissioner, Faridabad, to get the case inquired by an officer of the rank of additional deputy commissioner,” said Bal Krishan Goel, member, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

Goel said Section 323 of the IPC and Section 18 of the Labour Act have been added to the FIR against the accused. Police had registered a case against the girl’s employer, Sneha (who goes by her first name). Sneha is a student of engineering at Manav Rachna University.

The victim was on Friday admitted to BK Hospital for treatment. “As she has bruises on her body, we decided to get her properly treated under police protection,” Goel said.

On Wednesday, the 14-year-old domestic help, who was allegedly being tortured by her employer, jumped from the 10th floor balcony of Kanishka Tower in Sector 37. The minor survived since she got caught in a net on the same floor.

Harish Malik, chairman of child welfare committee, said the victim was trying to escape and had made a similar attempt earlier. “I talked to her. She had tried to escape some time ago but her employer had reprimanded her and beat her up,” he said.

“On Wednesday, the victim tried to escape again,” he said.

The accused was granted bail by a local court on Friday, said SHO, Sarai, Dalbir Singh.

The statement of the victim was recorded again on Friday. “ She said that the accused had been torturing her for the last three years and was not being paid any salary,” Goel said, quoting the statement of the girl.

”The victim said she was not allowed to eat without permission. She was also not allowed to meet anybody, and was beaten with metal rod and pipes,” said Geeta Singh, member, Child Welfare Committee, Faridabad.

A team of the child welfare panel visited Kanishka tower late Friday evening to gather details about the case.