BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: The State police yesterday, yesterday invoked section 3 of the Prevention of Atrocities (SC/ST) Act against the family accused of torturing their maid-servant as the victim belongs to the protected community.
Under this act, the case has to be investigated by an officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or higher.
DySP Gundu Naik has been assigned the case.
A family going by the surname Pednekar residing at Porvorim, was booked earlier this week on charges of torturing -- beating and burning-- their minor maid servant.
The prosecution will file an appeal against the conditional bail granted to one of the three alleged accused owners Audumber alias Shubam Pednekar, by the Children’s Court on Monday.
Official spokesperson of the Goa Police, Superintendent Atmaram Deshpande confirmed that a revision application is being filed in the Bombay High Court at Goa.
Meanwhile, appalled by the state of the minor girl employed by the Pednekar family as domestic help and regularly assaulted by her owners, Save Child Abuse Now (SCAN)-India yesterday sought intervention of the Women and Child Development terming it as a case of ‘child labour’.
Deshpande further revealed that the Porvorim police have recorded the statement of the 10-year-old victim girl, who is still undergoing treatment at Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim.
Reliable sources have confirmed that according to girl, her employeers Shubham, his wife Meenaxi and sister-in-law Rekha Wagale regularly assaulted her, ever since she was employed at their place, six months back. The anticipatory bail plea of the two females will be heard at the children's court, today.
In yet another revelation, the girl’s salary was picked up by a person (not known) on her behalf, though she was not regularly paid.
In addition, she was forced to sleep in the balcony of her owner’s house and her flesh was burnt, quite often. She was even assaulted by her male owner, earlier.
It was moreover learnt that GMC at Bambolim will constitute a fresh medical board to examine the girl, thoroughly. When contacted GMC Superintendent Dr Rajan Kunkolienkar, however said that they haven’t received any such request from the police.
“We have not been requested for the same. However, if we are requested then we will indeed constitute a board to examine the girl’s old and new bruises,” Kunkolienkar told GT.
He said that personal attention was given to the minor girl’s health and that she would be shifted to a separate room shortly. “We are giving personal attention to the girl. Her food, treatment, etc are all being looked after,” the doctor said.
