A 16-year-old domestic worker was rescued from a flat in South Delhi’s Abul Fazal Enclave after allegedly being subjected to physical abuse, excessive working hours and deprivation for about a year, according to a report by Jagran – New Delhi. A joint team of the Delhi labour department, Delhi Police and the Association for Voluntary Action carried out the rescue during the night of November 3-4.
The incident was reported from a third-floor flat in Abul Fazal Enclave Part-2, in the Shaheen Bagh area. The girl told officials that she was allegedly beaten for minor mistakes, burned with a hot clothes iron and injured with a knife while working as a domestic helper. She also alleged that she was made to work from about 6am until 2am and was often given leftover food.
According to the report, the girl had been placed in the household by her family, which was facing financial hardship. Her wages were allegedly not paid regularly. She reportedly received amounts of Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 at different times, totalling about Rs 18,000 over the year. The report said she was also prevented from meeting her mother and remained cut off from the outside world.
The rescue followed information received by the Association for Voluntary Action, which approached the administration. Sub-divisional magistrate of Kalkaji Ved Prakash Meena took cognisance of the complaint, after which the joint team entered the flat and removed the girl from the premises. The team reportedly found visible injury marks and brought her before the SDM for recording of her statement.
Following the rescue, the girl was sent to the One Stop Centre in Lajpat Nagar under the supervision of a woman head constable. The report said she was undergoing a detailed medical examination and treatment. Her identity has not been disclosed, in keeping with protections for children involved in cases of alleged abuse.
Shaheen Bagh police registered a first information report on November 4 against the woman identified in the report as Sadaf. The case invokes the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, along with Sections 75 and 79 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Section 75 concerns cruelty to a child, while Section 79 addresses exploitation of a child employee.
The case places attention on the enforcement challenge surrounding children employed inside private homes, where abuse can remain hidden from routine inspection. In this instance, intervention followed information reaching a voluntary organisation and coordination among the labour department, police and sub-divisional administration. The authorities’ next steps include medical care, child-protection procedures and investigation of the allegations recorded in the FIR.
The report said the girl told the Child Welfare Committee that she wanted strict action against the woman accused of abusing her and hoped to become a teacher. The police investigation and proceedings before the relevant child-protection authorities will determine the facts and legal responsibility in the case.
