Minor girl forced to work as domestic help was tortured, never paid

A minor girl forced to work as a domestic help in Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar area, who had been rescued a few days ago, alleged that she was tortured to work at late hours, assaulted regularly and hardly given a square meal a day.

The victim, Rachna (name changed) worked as a domestic help for eight months and not paid any salary.

Her plight came to light after she approached and was rescued by the Delhi Commission for Women's (DCW) Mahila Panchayat Programme counsellor.

The victim's uncle from Jharkhand had taken her to Patna on the pretext of educating her and then dropped her off at a placement agency in Delhi's Shakurpur area.

The placement agency took an amount of Rs 38,000 from the person at whose house the girl was left to work as a domestic help, while the uncle was also given money by the agency.

Later, the girl approached DCW's Mahila Panchayat counsellor and narrated her ordeal and was rescued in a joint operation by DCW's Mobile Helpline (MHL) and Delhi Police.

"The father of the rescued girl is on his way to Delhi as the victim desperately wants to go back home," the Commission said.

On counselling, the victim also informed DCW that her mother had passed away while her father's health had been deteriorating.

DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal on Monday issued a notice to police seeking information about the registration of the FIR and details of the action taken till date. The Commission has also intimated the sub-divisional magistrate to take action and help the survivor as per the Bonded Labour Act.

"Delhi has become a hub for human trafficking. In the garb of placement agencies, human trafficking is becoming rampant. Delhi Police should take strict action to curb such heinous practices," said Maliwal.

The victim has been safely shifted to a shelter and the Commission further stated it will ensure that the girl's salary and compensation is duly given.