DCW rescues tribal girl tortured by lady doc for months

When 14-year-old Bertha (name changed) stepped out of a dark, dingy and damp room, she let out a piercing cry, one that narrated her horrific ordeal. Clad in a torn frock, she tried to cover up the bruises, bite marks and injuries that dotted her feeble body. Fear was writ large on her face, as if she anticipated another round of beating.

It was only when team members of the Delhi Commission for Women offered her water, fruits and a few endearing words of encouragement, that she was able to utter how unwell she is.

A call from a good samaritan staying next door brought members of the DCW to the doorstep of a private doctor in Model Town on Saturday. The tribal girl from Jharkhand, had been working as a domestic help in the household for the past four months, after a placement agency got her the job.

Subjected to regular torture by her female employer, who has now been arrested under various sections of the IPC for cruelty, bonded labour, among other crimes, the young girl broke down several times as she recounted her days and nights of extreme abuse.

According to DCW chief Swati Jai Hind, who was part of the rescue team, the accused doctor had unleashed unspeakable agony on Bertha, leaving her scarred both physically and mentally. "She was beaten up every day. She also burnt her with a hot iron rod and threw scalding water on her too, at times," informed the DCW chief, adding that the victim had deep gnashes and burn marks on her body, a telling evidence of what went on behind closed doors in the palatial bungalow.

The DCW chief also alleged that the doctor spat on the girl and encouraged her children to treat her the same way. Reduced to a skeleton, Bertha was denied food and made to sleep on the cold floor with the family, without any blanket.

An FIR was registered at the Model Town police station, following which the doctor has been arrested.

INHUMAN...

The 14-year-old victim was beaten up every day. The lady doctor (victim’s employer) also burnt her with a hot iron rod and threw scalding water on her, at times. Additionally, Bertha (name changed) was also denied food often. She had to sleep on the cold floor without a blanket.