A teacher and her married daughter branded a 12-year-old girl, with a hot iron rod, as they thought the girl had taken away a hair clip
Chennai, September 2: In a shocking incident, a teacher and her married daughter branded a 12-year-old girl — a relative living with them for over one-and-a-half-years — with a hot iron rod, as they thought the girl had taken away a hair clip.
According to sources, the incident came to light after ChildLine number 1098 received a call saying a girl child employed at a house in Papanasam was being ill-treated. Following this, a team of officials from the Labour Department, Social Welfare Department and ChildLine visited the area on August 27 and found the victim with three wounds on her left hand, reports newindianexpress.com.
On inquiry, it was known that the father of the girl, a native of Goundanpatti in Karur district, died a few years ago and her mother re-married. The mother then let her live with Rahini, a relative and school teacher, residing at Padugai Pudhutheru in Papanasam of Thanjavur. The girl was studying in Class VII in the same school, where Rahini is working.
Sources said a few days ago, a hair clip went missing in the house and Rahini and her daughter Saranya reportedly enquired about it with the child. As she could not spot it, the two branded the child.
The girl initially told the investigating team that the wounds were caused by mishandling of a cooker. Later, she told the team that she was ill-treated. The victim was produced before the Child Welfare Committee, which ordered lodging her in the government home in Thanjavur. A case has been registered.
