Minor hired as domestic help forced into prostitution

The 16-year-old victim, was from an economically weak background and hailed from a village near Uthiramerur in Kancheepuram. After she completed Class 10, her parents decided to send her for a job. Police said Velankani (38), the girl’s neighbour, had assured the parents of finding a job for the girl. Velankani had separated from her husband and lived with Arputharaj.

Six months ago, Velankani took the girl to Chennai with the promise of a job, where she would have to look after kids. Velankanni assured the parents of a good salary and holidays. She also gave Rs 5,000 as advance to the parents. In the meantime, the girl’s parents wanted to see her on Good Friday and Easter and Velankani took the girl home last weekend. Later, on Monday, when she called the girl back to Chennai, she refused to return. The girl broke down and narrated her plight to her parents. Arputharaj, found out and along with a group of men, went to her house and threatened to kill them all if they filed a police complaint.

Police said that initially, both parties tried to settle things but on Wednesday, the girl’s family approached Kancheepuram Superintendent of Police Santosh Hadimani and narrated the whole incident. According to the girl’s statement, all went smoothly for the first two months. However, later, an elderly man and his friends started visiting the house where she worked and sexually assaulted her. Police said they would record the whole thing and later blackmail the girl. The girl was then sent to many places around Chennai and raped by several men. They threatened to kill her parents if she refused to comply.

An FIR was registered at Peru Nagar police station and the SP formed three special teams to nab the gang. Velankanni, Arputharaj and others got wind of the developments and escaped.