[hitaEtela]

Doc couple locked up child maid

Published April 5 2012



Indian police arrested a doctor couple on Wednesday who allegedly locked up their 13-year-old maid while they went on holiday, in a case that has spotlighted abuse of under-age domestic servants.

Police say the affluent couple, both medical doctors with thriving practices, locked the child in their flat in New Delhi last month with little food when they went to Thailand on vacation.

Police deputy commissioner A.K. Ojha said police arrested the couple acting on a 'tip-off' after they went into hiding following their return at the end of March.

The girl was rescued by fire fighters after four days when neighbours spotted her crying on the balcony of the apartment in an upmarket block in the east of the capital in a case that has made headlines since last weekend.

The girl accused her employers, Sanjay and Sumita Verma, of beating her and pulling out her hair.

The couple had also allegedly installed closed circuit cameras inside the house to keep a watch on her.