Roopali, the accused, had promised Sujala, the victim, work in her beauty salon. However, after a few days, Roopali allegedly locked Sujala up in her apartment, refused to let her out and forced her to work as a domestic help.
Bengaluru: A 23-year-old woman hailing from Assam who was held captive in her employer’s house and forced to work for 3 months, was rescued by police on Monday.
A senior police officer at the Kadugodi Police station said, “A person by name Roopali promised Sujala work in her beauty salon. Sujala worked in the salon for a few days, but Roopali later brought Sujala to her apartment and forced her to work as a domestic help. Sujala was then locked up in the house and was not allowed to leave the apartment.”
Sujala Begum was held captive in Roopali’s five-bedroom apartment in Prestige Shantiniketan Apartments in Whitefield. The victim complained that she was forced to work all day and take care of Roopali, her husband, their two children and employees of Roopali’s salon who lived with them.
“Sujala was able to get her hands on a phone which she used to call her relative. Her relative then approached us and filed a complaint, following which we traced her to Roopali’s apartment in Prestige Shantiniketan where she was found locked up, said a police officer. Police found her tied up in a bathroom. Sujala was later taken to Vydehi Hospital for treatment as she had sustained injuries.
According to a report by The Hindu, Sujala said that she was promised a pay of Rs 10,000 a month but that she had only received Rs 5000 till date. Kadugodi Police have filed an FIR against Roopali under sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (intention to insult the modesty of a woman), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 324 (assault) and 344 (wrongful confinement).
Police reported that the accused have been arrested and that further investigation is underway.
When asked about the alleged beating and torture that Sujala faced, Abdul Ahad, DCP, Whitefield, said, “Assault marks have been found on the victim’s body. We are currently investigating the case further and are looking into the possibility of the victim being tortured.”
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