A 12-year-old domestic help was rescued with multiple burn and assault injuries from a house in Sailashree Vihar in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar on Sunday morning.
The minor girl, who allegedly endured prolonged physical and mental abuse, is currently undergoing treatment at Capital Hospital and is reported to be stable but under close medical observation.
Based on a complaint filed by child protection workers, Chandrasekharpur police registered a case and detained the employer, Umesh Chandra Samal, for questioning.
Police said further investigation is underway and evidence is being collected.
A local resident alerted the police and the child helpline number after finding the girl wandering the streets in tears and distress on Sunday morning.
Workers from the NGO Ruchika Social Service Organisation (Childline) rescued the girl and admitted her to Capital Hospital.
Officials said a medical examination revealed multiple beating marks and deep burn injuries on various parts of her body, adding that she might have been repeatedly branded with a heated object as punishment for minor mistakes during household work.
The girl, who is from Keonjhar district, had worked as a domestic help in the house for one-and-a-half years and was allegedly paid around ₹2,000 per month.
She was allegedly paid around ₹2,000 per month and subjected to severe torture.
The minor has been placed under the care of the Child Welfare Committee.
