‘My stepmom tonsured, scalded and beat me up’

14-year-old who had gone to her father’s home in Mahim for summer vacation is now in Bhagwati Hospital

Raju Shinde and Vinay Dalvi

     

Posted On Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 02:45:12 AM

A 14-year-old girl from Malvani has told the police her stepmother tortured her to such an extent that she may have to undergo leg amputation.  Shajuptha was taken to a private nursing home by her caretaker aunt, following which a complaint was filed with the police Admitted to Bhagwati Hospital for the past many days, Shajuptha Khan said her ordeal began in April, when she arrived in Mahim to spend vacation with her father Shafique and stepmother Rukhsar. The girl’s mother died many years ago. According to the complaint, Rukhsar treated the girl like a domestic servant. If she didn’t find her work up to the mark, which was often the case, she would thrash the girl, the complaint said, adding Shafique did not intervene to stop the abuse. In separate incidents of abuse, Rukhsar tonsured Shajuptha, singed her and threatened to “sell her to a brothel,” the complaint said.  The matter came to light only when neighbours alerted Shajuptha’s aunt, Ayesha, who is the girl’s caretaker as well. Ayesha took Shajuptha to a private nursing home, where the latter narrated her ordeal, following which the cops were approached.  A Mahim police officer said, “We need to record the statements of the girl’s stepmother, her father and their neighbours. Complaint will be registered only after a detailed inquiry.” Ayesha said, “The child was beaten up mercilessly. We want justice.” Rukhsar and Shafique refused to comment.