Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb 17: Malda police arrested a man on charges of child labour, abuse and child molestation in English Bazaar town today. Mr Sudip Chakraborty, a contractor, attempted to escape from police after the mother of Gita Karmakar lodged an FIR with the police. The accused's wife Mrs Aparajita Chakraborty was also detained. “We may arrest her tonight after interrogation,” a senior police officer said.
According to the Malda SP Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhyay the man was arrested for violating the amended Child Labour Act. Gita Karmakar, seven, was employed as a baby-sitter by the Chakraborty family. Her mother alleged that she was tortured while working there. "She was locked in the house on 15 February for hours when the couple went out. Scared, my daughter screamed for help, which brought the neighbours to the house. They broke the lock and rescued my daughter.”
Local residents backed by the CPI-M organised a reconciliation meeting and demanded Rs 22,000 in compensation for the child's treatment as she suffered burns on her body. Mr Chakraborty stated that his family agreed to give Rs 5,000 and finally gave Rs 7,000 as compensation.
“I pleaded with my mother to take me away. I could not bear the torture,” Gita said today. She alleged that a burning candle was pressed to her bottom after she soiled the toilet.
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