‘Stripped, beaten up’: Tamil Nadu SC domestic help alleges physical abuse by MLA’s family

In the complaint, the girl hailing from Thirungundram village in Kallakurichi district stated that she took up the job at Mathivanan’s house in Thiruvanmiyur last April through an agent with a monthly salary of Rs 16,000 so as to source money for her NEET coaching.

“The girl alleged that she was beaten up by Merlina Ann, wife of Anto Mathivanan, and her mobile phone was snatched away. Despite the girl’s entreaties, the employer refused to relieve her from work. Further it was alleged that Merlina had made the girl sign a six-month contract in the presence of her mother and the agent,” said an officer.

The girl told the police that she secured 433 marks out of 600 in Class XII examination and wanted to pursue MBBS by clearing NEET.

The girl in her complaint to the DGP mentioned that she was stripped, beaten, made to drink chilli powder-mixed water by Merlina and even accused Anto Mathivanan of hitting her.

She claimed that she was not provided salary and as each day progressed, she was physically assaulted by Merlina even if she commits a small mistake in household chores. Further, she was threatened of dire consequences if she opens up her situation here to anyone, the girl told the police.

The victim’s mother has also been working as a domestic help.

The girl said when her mother asked Merlina about the salary, she had told her that they had enrolled the girl in an online class worth Rs 2 lakh, the officer said. However; the girl alleged she was not enrolled in any coaching institute.

“Merlina had allegedly abused the girl by calling out her caste in a derogatory manner and told her that she is the daughter-in-law of an MLA and hence no one would dare to question her as they have the power and position to do anything,” said the officer

Mathivanan and Merlina dropped the girl home on January 15 and when the girl’s mother enquired about the injury marks on her daughter, the couple said that was after the girl mistakenly hit a cupboard.

After the girl explained her ordeal to her mother, she was taken to a hospital in Ulundurpet. On examining her, the doctors found severe injuries and the police officials were intimated.

According to the police, on January 16, the Government Hospital at Ulundurpet informed the police that the domestic help who had come for treatment had injuries on her body.

Accordingly, the women police team led by Inspector of Neelangarai All Women Police Station, went to the government hospital and interrogated the patient. She told the police that she used to work in an apartment at Thiruvanmiyur and the owners of the house, the husband and wife, abused her and thrashed her. Further, a case has been registered at Neelangarai All Women Police Station.

The Neelankarai All Women Police had carried out an inquiry and recorded a statement from the girl.

The girl has urged the DGP to register a case against her employer under the SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Amendment Act 2015 and relevant sections and provide safety and relief to her.

As per the medical register, shared to The Indian Express by Evidence, a Madurai-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) that had brought out the issue, the girl was found to have abrasions above the eyes, on the forehead and chin, and burn injuries on both the forearms.

A video of the victim claiming to have subjected to repeated physical torture for over eight months and denied any medical care and was further threatened not to let anyone about the abuse or else they would subject her and her family to dire consequences was shared widely on social media.

The issue has created a row in the state with the Opposition, including the BJP, urging the police to expedite the inquiry into the allegations against the DMK legislator’s family.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai Thursday urged the state police to take stringent action against the family of the MLA.

“On behalf of BJP Tamil Nadu, I urge for an immediate investigation and action against the culprits under the Prevention of Atrocities Act,” he said.

A senior police officer with the investigation team told indianexpress.com said they are inquiring both sides of the case based on the report from the hospital in Ulundurpet. However, the police said they are not aware of the victim’s complaint addressed to the DGP.

However, attempts to reach out to DMK MLA Karudnanidhi for a response did not succeed.

According to A Kathir of Evidence, a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the employees in connection with the incident.