Representatives of the Domestic Workers’ Federations, the All India Democratic Women’s Association and other organisations have sought a thorough probe into the death of Mahalakshmi, a domestic worker who died recently after being physically abused by her employer.
Tamil Nadu Domestic Workers’ Federation state co-ordinator P. Clara said, “Even more worrying is the manner in which the local police handled the case. The police have exhibited undue haste in cremating the body without making earnest efforts to locate the victim’s relatives or preserve the body until investigation from all possible angles is completed to make a strong case.”
Mahalakshmi was trafficked into Tamil Nadu after payment of ₹1 lakh to a broker in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, a co-ordinator of Andhra Pradesh Domestic Workers’ Federation claimed.
Mahalakshmi was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the house of Kancheepuram-based businessman Muruganandham on Besant Avenue.
Following investigation, the Shastri Nagar police arrested his wife Sushmitha Priya, 46, and her niece Mithra, 26, for murdering Mahalakshmi by pouring boiling water on her and beating her up.
Victim of trafficking
Lissy Joseph, Andhra Pradesh Domestice Workers’ Federation, while addressing mediapersons here on Tuesday, said: “Mahalakshmi was a destitute, originally from Andhra Pradesh and trafficked to Chennai by an agent Sumithra in Rajahmundry. Our investigation revealed that at the age of 13, her mother sold her to the employer’s family for ₹1 lakh through broker Sumithra, who also trafficked several girls from Andhra Pradesh to Chennai, Delhi and other cities for domestic work.”