Retd Navy officer, wife booked for torturing teenage domestic help

 

 

A 15-year-old girl, brought from Jharkhand to work as a domestic help, was rescued from a house in Bokara area under Koradi police station on Sunday. The police have registered a case against the couple who had brought her to work in their home and tortured her. The accused couple, Umesh Kumar Shahu (68) and his wife Manju Shahu (64), were allegedly abusing the girl, said police. Umesh Kumar, a retired Navy officer, and his wife had brought the girl from Jharkhand a few months ago to help with housework, as Manju’s health made it difficult for her to do domestic work properly. The girl was reportedly beaten and mistreated if she made any mistakes while working. She was also confined to the house and not allowed to speak to anyone outside.

 

Neighbours noticed the abuse but were unable to intervene as the girl was kept inside and locked up when the couple left the house. After receiving information, the Child Rights Protection Committee visited the spot and rescued the girl and reported the matter to the Koradi Police. Following the investigation, the police registered a case against the couple under the Protection of Child Rights Act. The girl has now been sent to a juvenile home for her safety.