Placement agent moves bail, remanded in judicial custody

A Delhi court today fixed October 10 for a hearing on the bail application by a woman placement agent who was arrested in connection with the case of the alleged confinement and assault of a maid by her employer.
The accused, Dorothy, who had arranged the maid for the 50-year-old Vandana Dhir, was produced in court upon expiry of her one day police custody with her counsel moving a bail plea saying that the charges against her were bailable.
Metropolitan Magistrate Jasjeet Kaur asked police about the said charges and the investigating officer responded that some of them were non-bailable.

"As per the prosecution, there are non-bailable sections. You argue on merits," the magistrate told Dorothy's counsel and fixed the bail plea for arguments on October 10.
Meanwhile, Dorothy was remanded in judicial custody till October 16 by the court after police said she was not required for further custodial interrogation.
Key accused Dhir, whose bail plea was yesterday dismissed by the court, is also in jail under judicial custody.

According to police sources, Dorothy had shared with them the whereabouts of Kajal, a former maid at Dhir's house who is now likely to join the investigation within the next two days.

Sources said Kajal was presently at her native place in Jharkhand and Dorothy had told them about her. They also said Dorothy was made to meet with the mother of the victim during her custodial interrogation.
While dismissing Dhir's bail plea, the court had observed that a legislation for regulating placement agencies for domestic helps was "much needed".
It had also directed jail authorities to provide "psycho analysis therapy and counselling" for Dhir.
The victim, a resident of Jharkhand, was rescued from Dhir's Vasant Kunj home where she was working as a maid. She was then 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.