The Airfield police here landed in a controversy for allegedly not registering a case in the alleged physical torture of a 9-year-old girl for over two months by her employer in the city.
According to Khordha Child Welfare Committee (CWC) member Benudhar Senapaty, a couple Prasanna Sahoo and Gita Sahoo residing in Pokhariput area had employed the girl, a Class-III student from Basta area of Baleswar district with the consent of her parents to work in their house as a maid.
The family had also assured the parents of the girl that she would be paid a monthly salary and that she could continue her study as well. But the couple after bringing the girl to Bhubaneswar, forced her to do all household chores from morning till night and even used to physically abuse her by kicking and beating for every slightest mistake she commits while doing her chores.
The incident came to light on Wednesday when the girl ran out of the house after she was severely beaten up by the lady for waking up late in
the morning. Seeing the plight of the girl, some locals rescued and handed her over to the lingaraj police from where the case was referred to Airfield police station. Instead of taking any action, the police tried to make compromises between the house owner and the girl’s family.
But when no compromise could be drawn between the two party till late evening, the police later handed over the girl to the Childline as per the rules. “When we went to lingaraj police station to file a complaint, the police there referred the case to the Airfield police station citing that the area where the incident had taken place does not come under their jurisdiction,” said Khorda CWC member Senapaty.
He continued saying that, “However, the Airfield police also did not receive the complaint and instead challenged the credibility of the CWC.”
He added that the CWC has recommended the State Government for stern action against the couple under the Child labour Prohibition and Regulation Act.
A senior labour official on Thursday recorded the statement of the minor girl too, sources said. Meanwhile, IIC of Airfield police station, Rashmi Ranjan Sahu clarified on Thursday said that the Childline officials had come to the police station in his absence and left without lodging a complaint. However, he clarified that police would take action as per law.