Help says ‘beaten’ up by cops after employer accuses her of theft

A girl has filed a complaint at Kothrud police station, through child rights organisation Childline, that she was allegedly beaten up at Kothrud police station when she was brought there on the suspicion of theft at a lawyer's house in Kothrud where she works as a help.

Police said after her age is verified, action will also be taken against her employer under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.

Police said a lawyer from Kothrud approached them on Thursday with a complaint of theft of ornaments and valuables at his house. The complainant told the police that they suspected the girl who worked as a maid in their house. Police then brought the girl to the police station and some staff who were questioning her allegedly hit her on her hand.

Anuradha Sahastrabuddhe of Childline said, "The girl told us that she was questioned in the absence of a guardian and was beaten badly. She told us that she was forced to admit that she had stolen the valuables. We have now approached Deputy Commissioner Makrand Ranade with the complaint."

Sahastrabuddhe added, "Even on Saturday they forcibly took her statement that she was not beaten. Her uncle is now being threatened. She told us that when she was first taken to a hospital for medical test, she was not at all examined."

When contacted DCP Ranade said, "We are looking into three things. If she is a minor, then the employer will be charged under sections of Child Labour Act. As per the complaint we have received, she was beaten at the police station. We are probing these allegations. She will undergo medical examinations for all of this. Our team is also probing whether she stole any valuables. I am looking into all these complaints."

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