Bhubaneswar: Police on Sunday rescued a 12-year-old girl, who was allegedly forced to work as a domestic help in a businessman’s residence in Chandrasekharpur area, where she was subjected to torture. Police sources said the case was reported from Shailashree Vihar.The minor was working at the businessman’s residence for the last one year and was allegedly tortured, including being branded with a hot iron rod.“The minor fled her employer’s house after being thrashed and harassed. Locals found her crying on the road and alerted us. We brought her to the station and counselled her,” a police officer said.A child rights organisation lodged a complaint at Chandrasekharpur police station, prompting an investigation. The girl has been admitted to Capital Hospital, where her condition is said to be stable.Police have issued a notice to the employer to appear for questioning. Police said the girl’s parents, residents of Keonjhar, had engaged her as domestic help on a monthly wage of Rs 2,000 due to financial hardship. “The child will undergo counselling for the next few days, while her parents will be sensitised against child labour practices,” said the officer.
