Assam: Underage Domestic Help Allegedly Burnt To Death By Employers, Two Arrested

Domestic help burnt to death: A teen girl was allegedly burnt to death by the employers whose house she worked at as a domestic help in Nagaon, Assam, reports said Friday.

The incident reportedly occurred Thursday. It came to light when police received a call about the 12-year-old dying by self-immolation. Upon reaching, authorities however suspected it could be a case of murder, Indian Express reported.

"They had employed this 12-year-old girl as domestic help — that is in itself illegal... on reaching the place of occurrence, we suspected that it could be a murder," Nagaon SP was quoted saying.

Two accused, a 70-year-old man and his son aged 25 have been arrested in connection to the case.

Domestic Help Burnt To Death: What Is The Law For Minor Employment?

The minimum age for employment in India is 14 years, as per the Constitution. Article 24 reads, "No child below the age of 14 years shall be employed in work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment."

This rule applies to industries and employment opportunities across India, to keep child labour in check.

The problem of child employment however still persists in many places. Earlier this year in January, two factories in Delhi were shut after accusations of employing child labourers. 61 children were rescued from the sites. Full story here.