The minor girl's body was sent to KMC Hospital in the city for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. Investigators observed visible injuries on the girl’s body, which raised suspicions of physical abuse.
Published Nov 03, 2024 | 2:05 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 04, 2024 | 11:36 AM
Murder (Representational image/iStockPhoto)
In the Alandur area of Tamil Nadu capital Chennai, a 16-year-old domestic worker was allegedly beaten to death at her employer’s residence on Deepavali night, 31 October.
Following the incident, the police detained Muhammad Nawaz, a 35-year-old used car dealer and his wife Niveditha for questioning over the suspicious circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.
The victim, hailing from Thanjavur district, had been working in Nawaz’s apartment in Mehta Nagar in Alandur for the past year. Sources revealed that the girl’s mother had made her work as a domestic help to support the family due to financial hardship following the death of her father.
According to Nawaz’s statement, the girl went for a shower after finishing her chores but did not come out for an extended period.
Nawaz said he and his wife, out of concern, knocked on the bathroom door multiple times, eventually forcing it open when there was no response. They claimed they found the girl lying unconscious on the bathroom floor.
Instead of immediately notifying authorities, Nawaz, along with his wife and their six-year-old child, left the apartment in a state of panic and sought refuge at a relative’s home, said sources familiar with the case.
Later, Nawaz contacted the Alandur Police Station through his lawyer to report the girl’s death.
Police arrived on the scene, conducted a preliminary investigation, and recovered the girl’s body from the bathroom.
The minor girl’s body was sent to KMC Hospital in the city for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. Investigators noted that there were visible injuries on the girl’s body, which raised suspicions of physical abuse.
Initial findings reportedly indicate that the minor girl had endured physical abuse during her employment in the household.
Neighbours and acquaintances of the family also came forward with accounts that have corroborated signs of mistreatment, leading to a deeper investigation into the case.
The girl’s family background was also taken into account as police delved into her employment situation.
Authorities have expressed concern that her employment violated child labour laws, as minors under 18 are legally prohibited from working as domestic help.
An officer from K3 Aminjikarai Police Station who spoke to South First confirmed the case and said they initiated a probe into the incident.
The officer said that the investigation team is interrogating Nawaz and Niveditha regarding their involvement in the girl’s death and possible abuse.
A senior official involved in the investigation said, “We are looking into all aspects of this case, including the cause of death, the family’s background, and the illegal employment of a minor.”
Meanwhile, the post-mortem report is expected to provide clarity on the exact cause of death.
“If evidence of foul play or physical abuse is confirmed, the couple could face legal consequences, including charges related to child labour, assault, and possibly even homicide,” said the police officer from K3 Aminjikarai Police Station.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
