Chennai (Tamil Nadu): An 18-year-old Dalit domestic help, who was employed at the house of Anto Mathivanan, the son of DMK MLA E Karunanidhi, and his wife, Merlina Ann, in Chennai’s Thiruvanmiyur has accused the couple of physical abuse, torture and harassment. She has complained to the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) and a probe has been ordered.
According to sources, the girl originally living in the Thirungundram village in Kallakurichi district said that she took up the job at Mathivanan’s house in April 2023 through an agent. Her monthly remuneration was fixed at Rs 16,000, which she was saving for her NEET coaching.
A police officer told the media that as per the victim’s statement, Ann beat her up regularly and even confiscated her mobile phone. Despite her requests, Mathivanan and his wife refused to relieve her from work. “It was also alleged that Ann had compelled the girl to sign a six-month contract in the presence of her mother and the agent,” the officer added.
In her complaint to the DGP, the girl stated that Merlina had stripped her, assaulted her, forced her to drink water mixed with chilli powder, and even accused Mathivanan of assaulting her. She said that she was not paid her full salary, but received only Rs 5,000. Ann would physically attack her, even if she made a tiny error doing housework. The girl also informed the police that she was threatened if she alerted anyone about her predicament.
On January 15, Mathivanan and Ann dropped the girl home in Kallakurichi. However, her mother was shocked to find out the injury marks on her daughter’s body and charged the couple. They replied saying the girl had mistakenly hit a cupboard and hurt herself.
This story was originally published in etvbharat.com. Read the full story here .