BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: Three members of Pednekar family, residing in a colony at Porvorim were arrested for allegedly employing a minor girl for domestic help and assaulting her, often. The incident came to light when Mapusa police noticed a girl moving around their jurisdiction a couple of days back.
“She escaped from her owner's house at Alto-Porvorim since members beat her several times on various occasions. The NGO was called upon and a police complaint was lodged against the members of the family who employed the minor girl,” police sources told GT.
Upon complaint by the Save Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - India Director Audrey Pinto, the Porvorim police booked an offence under sections 324 (injuring flesh) read with 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code and 7 C, 8 (2) and 9 of Goa Children’s Act, 2003 (employing minor for domestic help) against Shubam alias Audumber Pednekar, his wife Meenaxi and sister-in-law Tina.
While, Shubham was arrested the other two are yet to be apprehended, until last evening. Meanwhile, the 10-year-old girl was admitted to a government hospital and undergoing treatment for burn injuries and bruises on her body. She was attacked with flat steel spoons and cable wires, ever since she was employed some six months back, according to Porvorim police.
It was learnt the girl, who hails from Cuttack probably had no family back home and was also not in a position to give her statement to the police till last night. She was however questioned soon after a complaint was lodged and registered on Saturday night until wee hours of Sunday.
