ADITYA DEV IN THE TIMES OF INDIA
GURGAON: In a case where a doctor couple was booked for employing a minor girl as a domestic help on Monday, the police are yet to get the medical test done of the victim to determine her age. Also, no arrest has been made so far. Childline (1098), which was part of the rescue team, said the medical test should have been conducted within 24 hours of the complaint. Gurgaon child welfare committee (CWC) is looking into the matter. The victim has been given shelter at a local children’s home. Rishi Kant, spokesperson of NGO Shakti vahini, which runs Childline in Gurgaon, said according to rules police should have arranged a medical check-up immediately. “Somehow police here are very lax in cases related to child rights. Had it been Delhi, the medical test would have been done within hours, said Kant.
When asked, investigating officer Abhay Raj said, “The victim was taken for a medical test on Thursday, but the chief medical officer was not available. Now, the test will be done on September 4. We will make arrests only after the girl’s age is verified”.
The Haryana chief minister and Union human resources development (HRD) minister are visiting city on September 3 and apparently the administration is busy preparing for the event. Kant claimed the Gurgaon CWC ensures that issues related to child rights are handled with due care. When informed about the delay in medical test, CWC member Sunaina said she would look into the matter. However, later on, she could not be reached despite repeated attempts.
Earlier, a teenager, a native of Gumla distrcit in Jharkhand was rescued jointly by Childline, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Gurgaon from the house of a doctor couple in the city. The Sector 4 residents, have been accused of employing a minor girl and torturing her. An FIR has been registered under Section 23 (punishment for cruelty to juvenile or child) and 26 (exploitation of juvenile or child employee) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
“The victim was not allowed to speak to her parents. She didn’t get any money in return of her work. And whenever she requested to go back to her home, the couple would beat her,” said Kant.
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