A complaint against Delhi couple, who had employed a minor for household work, has been overruled by the Delhi High Court. The decision of reversing the decision came after the Court directed the couple to plant 100 trees and pay Rs. 1.5 lakh to the victim.
Justice Najmi Waziri has also directed two other persons who were involved as agents. It was through them that the minor girl was employed at the couple's house for plantation and to take care of the trees. The court has imposed a fine of Rs. 1.5 lakh on the couple and Rs. 10,000 each on the two agents and directed that the amount be paid to the minor. "In the circumstances, the FIR and all proceedings emanating from there are quashed subject to costs of Rs. 1.5 lakh to be paid by petitioners No. 1 and 2 (couple) to respondent No.2 (victim)...", said the court.
The court noted that as an expression of contrition for causing unnecessary burden upon the administrative machinery engaged in the maintenance of law and order, the couple submitted they wanted to do some social work. It directed them to plant 50 trees each in Delhi and were asked to report to the deputy conservator of forests (south) who shall assign them duties of planting the trees in the Central Ridge for 10 working days in compensatory aforestation or other schemes.
The court said that the trees to be planted should be of deciduous indigenous variety with a nursery age of three-and-a-half years and a minimum height of six feet. Depending upon the soil type and topography, the court said the forest officer may consider plantation of Gular (Cluster Fig), Kadamba (Burflower Tree), Pilkhan (White Fig), Jaamun (Black Plum), Bargad (Banyan Tree), Mango, Amaltas (Golden Shower), Mahua (Butter Tree), Putranjiva, Badh, Sagwan (Teak Wood), Safed Siris (Albizia Procera), Kala Siris, Anjeer, Kathal (Jackfruit), Palash, Arni, Bistendu, Rohida and Medshingi. The deputy conservator of forest (south) would file an affidavit of compliance along with pictures of plantation on or before March 25 before the court.
A complaint was lodged at the Rajouri Garden police station for the offences of voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful compulsory labour under the Indian Penal Code and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. The minor was allegedly kept in illegal captivity for about three months for household labour and she was brought to Delhi by these two agents, apparently with the consent of the victim's father.
She was employed by the couple for household work and was allegedly physically assaulted whenever made a mistake and was never paid any money for the period of her work, said sources.