Minor girl forced to work as domestic help rescued

The Delhi Commission for Women has rescued a 16-year-old girl who was allegedly forced to work as a domestic help in Kingsway Camp area of the national capital, a DCW official said today.

The official said the minor girl was rescued by a DCW team with help from the police and the Additional District Magistrate of the area.

The DCW office had received a complaint that the girl was being forced to work as a domestic help in Kingsway Camp. It sent a team there and informed the police and the ADM, the official said.

Initially, the house owner didn't allow the team to enter the residence. But when the police threatened to break-open the gate, the owner reluctantly allowed them in.

When the officials entered the residence, they found the minor scared and unable to speak, the official said.

After hours of counselling, the girl informed that she is a resident of Jharkhand. She said her parents have died and she was brought up by her grandmother and grandfather.

A placement agent had brought her to Delhi and she was forced to work as a domestic help on a monthly salary of Rs 3,000, the girl said.

"However, she wasn't paid any money. She informed that she was threatened and forced to work even while she was ill. She was held captive and was not allowed to go outside," the DCW official said.

An FIR has been registered in the matter.

DCW Chief Swati Maliwal said: "Placement agencies are running a trafficking nexus in Delhi which need to be curbed. I appeal to all stakeholders to regulate the functioning of placement agencies. CWC should immediately ensure the recovery of payment due to the girl wages. Strongest action should be taken against the employer.