VIDEO: Case against DMK MLA I Karunanithi's son and his wife after 18-year-old aid alleges torture
The son and daughter-in-law of Pallavaram DMK MLA I Karunanithi were arrested by Tamil Nadu police for allegedly torturing their domestic help, an 18-year-old Dalit girl.
Tamil Nadu News: The Tamil Nadu police on Friday booked the son and daughter-in-law of DMK MLA I Karunanithi after an 18-year-old girl, a Dalit, accused the couple of assault, verbal abuse and torture. Officials said an FIR had been registered against Anto Mathivanan and his wife Marlina Ann – the son and daughter-in-law of Pallavaram MLA I Karunanithi – for allegedly beating and verbally abusing their young domestic help.
The incident came to light after a government hospital in Ulundurpet in Kallakurichi district informed police that a young woman came to the facility for treatment.
Hospital authorities said that during the examination, injuries were observed on her body and when asked how she got the bruises, the 18-year-old girl told doctors that she was allegedly subjected to severe physical and verbal abuse by her employers – 'a legislative act'. son and his wife' in Chennai.
Subsequently, a woman inspector from Neelangarai All Women Police Station in Chennai visited Ulundurpet Hospital, police said.
When interrogated, the girl, identified as V Rekha, told police that she was working as a domestic help at the lawmaker's son's house in Tiruvanmiyur in Chennai. The young woman alleged that she was beaten up, tortured and verbally abused by the MLA's son Andro and his wife Marlina.
Based on her complaint, a case has been registered and an investigation is underway, a city police press release said.
'Hands burned by cigarettes, frequent abuse'
Speaking to reporters, the girl and her mother Selvi alleged that she was subjected to severe physical torture by her employer for more than seven months. Narrating her harrowing ordeal, she alleged that her hands were burnt with cigarettes by the MLA's son and his wife and she was often beaten for the slightest reason.
DMK MLA I Karunanithi's son in Chennai 'burnt my hands', says Dalit housekeeper alleges torture. #Dalit #DravidianModel #Karunanithi #DMKYOuthWing @TheBluePen25 @subhajit_n@arivalayam @mkstalin @Udhaistalin @DMKITwing@thirumaofficialpic.twitter.com/EsT8BXy4GF
— South One (@SouthOneNews) January 19, 2024
“I was often slapped in the face for not doing the smallest task properly. The abuse became a daily ordeal. Once I burned my hands with a hair straightener because I failed to prepare the food on time,” she claimed.
She further alleged that she was beaten with slippers, poons, brooms and mops, leaving her body bruised, battered and bloody.
DMK MLA, I Karunanithi's son in Chennai 'burnt my hands', says Dalit housekeeper alleges torture.#Dalit #DravidianModel #Karunanithi #DMKYOuthWing @TheBluePen25 @subhajit_n @arivalayam @mkstalin @Udhaistalin @DMKITwing @thirumaofficialpic.twitter.com/P4HL9PPUqz
— South One (@SouthOneNews) January 19, 2024
Worked as a maid to pay for his education, but never paid full salary
The distressed girl revealed that Marlina was particularly cruel to her, often beating her severely and once even cutting off her hair.
“I agreed to work as a maid as I wanted to save the money for my training and coaching for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET). I want to become a doctor,” the girl said, adding that she had scored 433 marks out of 600 in her Class 12 exams last year.
She also alleged that the family paid her only Rs 5,000 instead of the promised amount of Rs 16,000 in monthly salary.
The girl, who showed visible bruises and wounds on her arms and hands on the cameras, alleged that Anto and his wife also denied her medical attention even as she “bled to death.”
Reacting to the incident, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai alleged that the girl, belonging to the Scheduled Caste, was branded with cigarettes and brutally beaten by Andro and Marlina, son and daughter-in-law of I Karunanidhi, DMK MLA of the constituency Pallavaram. in Chennai.
The Saffron party leader demanded a detailed investigation and swift, appropriate action.
The MLA has said that he and his son were living separately and that he had no idea about the allegation.
(With PTI inputs)