A distressing case of bonded labour was uncovered in Chennai when three young girls were rescued from a house in Valasaravakkam. The victims included a 17-year-old from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, and two 20-year-olds, one from Andhra Pradesh and the other from Poonamallee. They had been subjected to years of physical abuse and exploitation by the house owner, Z Rashida, who has since been arrested.
Rashida, who owns an imitation jewellery shop in Anna Nagar, allegedly loaned large sums of money to the girls’ families, forcing them into servitude. The minor girl, whose father suffered a paralytic stroke, was sent to work at the age of 12 to repay a loan of Rs 50,000. The girls were not paid any wages and endured extreme physical abuse, including being branded and beaten with cooking equipment. One girl even lost her teeth due to the beatings.
The girls, who were hesitant to speak at first, later revealed the harrowing details of their mistreatment when questioned separately by authorities. They had tried to escape multiple times, but Rashida used threats and false police complaints to bring them back. A tip-off to the child helpline led to a rescue operation involving multiple government departments. The girls were found working at the house during the operation and were immediately provided with medical attention.
Rashida has been arrested and will be remanded soon. Investigations are ongoing, and the girls will receive relief and support under bonded labour laws.
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