Friday | Jun 27 2025 | 08:15:26 AM
New Delhi, July 20
The Delhi Police arrested a pilot and her husband for alleged torture and assault of 10-year-old girl they had employed to take care of their three-year-old son. The couple was confronted and thrashed by locals and relatives of the minor girl who was recued from their house and found in absolute injured condition.
A video of the incident showed a group of women slapping the pilot and her husband. The minor is also seen in the clip. The 10-year-old girl was seen with blood oozing out of her eyes, swollen face, burn marks on her body and other injuries.
The couple has been identified as Poornima Bagchi working with IndiGo Airlines, and her husband, Kaushik Bagchi, working with Vistara.
The couple had shifted from Palam Vihar to Dwarka about two months ago and employed the minor girl a few weeks later. The girl was reportedly living with her relatives in Delhi for some time, as her parents had gone to her village in Bihar. She was employed at the house through her paternal aunt.
DCP (Dwarka) M Harshavardhan stated that they had received a call regarding a child being mistreated by her employers. It was found that a 10-year-old girl had been employed as a domestic help at a house for over a month. The couple were beating her and harassing her, which was notice by the girl's relative and she reported the matter. After she took away the girl from their house, the locals gathered and assaulted the couple.
He added that the minor recorded her statement with the counsellor. She alleged that she was beaten up almost regularly for not working as per the couple’s instructions.
As news of the abuse spread, the girl’s relatives, other domestic workers, and a few residents of the area gathered outside the couple’s residence. The couple were dragged out of their homes and beaten up by the crowd.
After the assault, Poornima has also filed a complaint with police for assault while the police are checking the viral video to identify the persons who assaulted them.
The police have booked the couple under IPC Sections 370 (trafficking), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 343 (wrongful confinement), 324 (causing hurt using dangerous weapons or means), along with sections of the Child Labour Act and the Juvenile Justice Act.
