Denied bail, child maid's tormentors go into hiding

Denied bail, child maid's tormentors go into hiding
TNN

PANAJI: Cancelling the conditional bail granted earlier, president of the children’s court B P Deshpande, on Saturday directed Audumber Pendnekar to immediately surrender before the Porvorim police in connection with the alleged torture of a 10-year-old domestic help employed at his residence.

The court also rejected the separate anticipatory bail applications filed by Pednekar’s wife Minaxi and their relative Rekha Waghela. The trio, however, are absconding, despite Pednekar being required to be present at the police station every morning, said police sources. Cancelling Pednekar’s bail, the court observed that when the conditional bail was granted on July 27, the nature of the child’s injuries were not described in the hurt certificate.

Referring to the record submitted subsequently by the prosecution, the judge noted: "In all, there are 23 burn injuries which are found on various parts of the body and mainly near the stomach and on the thighs and also there is disfigurement of the face."

The court observed that the prosecution, on the basis of the opinion of the medical board, victim’s and other witnesses’ statements, had brought on record that a very serious offence had been committed on the 10-year-old child.

It further took into consideration the prosecution’s claim that the victim was unable to walk and sit properly due to the burn injuries and that three weeks were required for (her) recovery.

2 August 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition