Techie couple faces arrest for torturing a minor domestic help

Bangalore: A minor girl was rescued from a techie couple's house in Electronics City by the police and an NGO last week. The employers, a techie couple, are alleged to have brutally abused the girl who worked as their domestic help.

The child is now under the care of the Child Welfare Commission. The victim, who hails from Uttar Pradesh was staying with the couple for the last 3 months.

The girl told the CWC and the NGO that she was ill-treated by the employers. She said the employers got angry when she ate ice cream and stuffed raw egg into her mouth. She was reportedly made to sit outside the house. The girl then ran away and reached a neighbour's apartment. The neighbours then alerted the authorities and handed over the girl to the rescuers.

A case has been registered against the couple under various sections of the IPC and the Juvenile Justice Act.

Meanwhile, the NGOs have alleged that the police are trying to save the accused couple by releasing them on bail. According to police, the girl is 14-year-old and is related to the accused. However, they have not been able to establish the facts. While NGO's have said that the girl is just 10 or 11-year-old. They said that the police are working under pressure from a builder and a minister. NGOs and other local people have now decided to step up pressure on the Police demanding a fair probe and arrest of the couple.

(The sections under which child's employer couple have been charged under the Juvenile Justice Act (23 and 26) and the IPC (Sections 370, 323 and 342) relate to the following: JJA Section 23:Punishment for cruelty to juvenile or child. Punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or with both. JJA Section 26: Exploitation of juvenile or child employee. Punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine. IPC 370: Buying or disposing of any person as a slave. Punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. IPC 323:Voluntarily causing hurt. Punishable for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both. IPC 342:Wrongful confinement. Punishable for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.)