Domestic help says ‘ assaulted, branded’; FIR against employer

IN THE space of a month, after she was hired, a 40- year- old woman who worked as a domestic help in Vasant Kunj’s B- 2 area was subjected to multiple instances of physical assault and verbal abuse allegedly at the hands of her employer.

In the latest instance, which took place on Wednesday, Sheela Devi was allegedly physically assaulted and branded.

The Delhi Police said it has filed an FIR against the unnamed employer under IPC sections 323 ( voluntarily causing hurt), 342 ( wrongful confinement) and 506 ( criminal intimidation). DCP ( Southwest) Rohit Meena said police are looking into the matter. According to the FIR, Devi’s employer had previously allegedly hit her with a belt and verbally abused her over a minor infraction. “At that time, she didn’t tell anyone about the incident to save her job,” said Udita Halder, a member of the Sangrami Gharelu- Kamgar Union ( SGU), who spoke on behalf of Devi.

On the day of the incident, Devi was allegedly verbally abused again for arriving late to work. The employer then allegedly branded Devi’s right arm with a hot knife and slapped her. Devi also reported that her employer then allegedly placed the knife’s tip against her chest and threatened to stab her.

The following day, when Devi went to ask for her wages of Rs 5,0 0 0, her employer allegedly responded, “If you don’t mop the floor, you won't get the money.”

While she was mopping, she alleged that her employer began hurling abuses and hit her head with an object before lashing her with a belt. Hearing the commotion, domestic workers in neighbouring houses gathered outside the flat and called the police.

Devi was then allegedly locked in a room. “Some women and college students from the nearby basti came to the house which compelled the employer to unlock the room,” said Halder.

In her FIR, Devi also mentioned previous instances of alleged verbal and physical abuse by her employer towards other domestic workers, as well as withholding their wages.

Devi was taken to Safdarjung Hospital on Thursday where her wounds were treated.