NEW DELHI: A case has been registered against Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Zahid Beg and his wife, Seema Beg, for allegedly torturing and assaulting a minor maid at their residence.
The action follows the suicide of another teenager at the MLA’s house earlier this week.
The Labour Department filed the case based on a recommendation from Child Welfare Committee Chairman PC Upadhyay.Following this, a joint team of Bhadohi Police and Labour Enforcement Department rescued a 17-year-old girl from the MLA’s home.
Bhadohi SP Meenakshi Katyayan stated that after questioning the freed teenager and the complaint by Labour Enforcement Officer Jai Prakash Singh, a case was lodged against the MLA and his wife.
“The Labour Department has served a notice on Beg and his wife, accusing them of holding the 17-year-old captive and forcing her to work without pay,” Singh said.
The case was registered under various sections of the BNS, Juvenile Justice Act, and Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act. It was revealed that the minor had been employed as a domestic help at the MLA’s house for eight to nine years, and another rescued teenager had been working there for two years.
The rescued teenager was sent to the government children’s home in Prayagraj for her safety. The Labour Department has issued a notice to the couple, requiring them to respond within a week regarding the allegations of child labour.