A 50-year-old woman, arrested for allegedly assaulting and illegally confining a help in her house, was denied bail on Monday by a city court which said legislation for regulating placement agencies through which domestic help is recruited is “much needed”.
Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha dismissed the bail plea of accused Vandana Dhir and said it seems she is “suffering from some kind of a personality disorder” and the facts of the case demonstrate a “very sick and problematic mental state of the accused.”
The court directed the jail authorities to provide “psychoanalysis therapy and counselling” to Dhir, who is at present in judicial custody. Dhir and placement agent Dorothy have been arrested in connection with the case lodged under various Sections of the IPC, Bonded labour Act, SC/ST Act and under provisions of the Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children) Act. Both are at present in judicial remand.
The court also directed that the copy of its order be sent to Secretary, Ministry of law and Justice, Government of India and also to the Secretary of Department of law, Justice and legal Affairs of Delhi Government for consideration.
Regarding Dhir, who was working with a multinational firm in Noida, the court said, “She has exhibited through her actions such monstrosity incapable of being explained as a conduct of a normal human being. She seems to be suffering from some kind of a personality disorder, which leads to impulsive reactions, rage, resentment, aggression and venting out on a weak and helpless target.”
“Sooner or later, the accused would come out of the jail. But before that, it is necessary that she receives proper psychological help so that when she comes out, she is emotionally more stable,” it said. The court, while dismissing Dhir’s bail plea, lent credence to the statement of the victim recorded by a magistrate in which she had narrated the alleged torture meted out to her by Dhir.
The victim, a resident of Jharkhand, was rescued from Dhir’s Vasant Kunj home where she had been working as a domestic help and was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital with injuries.The girl was rescued by a joint team of NGO Shakti Vahini and Delhi Police from Dhir’s residence on the evening of September 30.