Two women and a girl rescued from bonded labour in Valasaravakkam

Two women and a girl were rescued from bonded labour from a house in Valasaravakkam in Chennai on Monday.

According to the police, the victims, 20-year-old women and a 17-year-old girl were sent to the accused Rasheeda’s house to work as domestic labourers.

Rasheeda had reportedly provided financial help to the victims’ parents, increasing their debt to about ₹3 lakh. Unable to pay off the debt owed to Rasheeda, the girls were sent to work at her house about six years ago. Two of them were from Andhra Pradesh while the third was from Tamil Nadu.

The family tortured the girls when they could not complete the housework or when they failed to satisfy. “The girls had tried to run away on several occasions but were threatened by the accused that cases would be lodged against them. Further, the parents, when informed about the ill-treatment, requested that their children be sent back home, suggesting that the debt be cleared by other means. The accused, however, threatened that they would levy heavy interest leaving them unable to pay it off,” said a child rights activist who was involved in the rescue.

The district child helpline had received a call regarding the harassment and an investigation by the District Child Protection Unit, Labour Department and volunteers was conducted. The three were rescued and are undergoing medical examination.

The police arrested Rasheeda. “Though the accused claimed that a salary of ₹3,000-₹4,000 was given, the victims haven’t received anything of the sort in the past few months. A case of child trafficking is also being pursued,” the activist said.

M. Rajkumar, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Chennai, said, “The women have been rescued and the Committee is following it up with necessary care and protection. Education and stay would be arranged, if needed.”