Bhadohi SP MLA, wife booked for child trafficking after 17-year-old ‘help’ found dead in his house

The next day, on September 10, a team of district police and officials, including members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), the district probation officer, and the labour officer, raided the MLA’s house and found a 15-year-old girl.

In her statement, the 15-year-old said that had been working as a help at the MLA’s house for the past two years. The deceased girl also worked as a house help, and they shared the same room in the house. The 15-year-old also said that she was not paid, while the deceased girl received Rs 1,000 monthly salary.

The 15-year-old, who has been sent to a children’s home for girls in Prayagraj on the direction of the district CWC chairperson, reportedly told the police that a week before her death, the 17-year-old girl wanted to run away complaining that she felt exhausted. The 15-year-old also alleged that they used to be scolded and sometimes beaten up for work.

“The FIR against the MLA and his wife has been lodged on the direction of the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC). No arrests have been made so far, and the investigation is on,” said a police officer.

The officer also added that no injury marks were found on the body of the 17-year-old girl and prima facie it appears to be a case of suicide.

“The investigation into the death of the girl is also going on,” said the officer.

Beg, the SP MLA from Bhadohi Sadar, and his wife have been booked under sections 143(4) (trafficking of a child) and 143(5) (trafficking of more than one child). Police have also invoked the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act against the couple.