Minor girl brutally beaten up by employer rescued in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: A minor girl allegedly brutally beaten by her employer was rescued here in the city, Childline official informed today.

According to reports, a 13 years old girl was engaged as a domestic help at house of a couple identified as Rashmi Ranjan Jena and Pratima Jena at Mancheswar area in Bhubaneswar. She was rescued in joint operation carried out by the Childline, a labour officer and police.

As per the victim’s statement, the minor girl was studying in Class 6 at her village school in Kendrapara district. She was trafficked by one Ananta Jena, father of Pratima Jena, in February 2022 and was engaged as a domestic help at his daughter’s house in past eight months.

A joint team of Childline, labour officer and police rescued the victim from Satya Enclave at Satya Vihar under Mancheswar police limits.

She alleged her employer of torturing her physically for negligence in her work. The burn marks on her body indicate that she was branded with Roti Seka (Roti toaster).

Following her rescue, the victim was produced before the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) by the Childline.

Source said that a labour case will be lodged by the labour officer. The Childline will also file a criminal case at the Mancheswar Police Station.