A 52-year-old woman living at the upscale DLF Camellias complex in Gurugram has been arrested for allegedly assaulting her 22-year-old domestic help and confining her inside the residence, police said.
The case came to light after a 90-second video of the alleged incident surfaced on social media. The footage was reportedly recorded by a resident of a neighbouring apartment. Police took suo motu cognisance of the video and registered an FIR at Sushant Lok police station on Monday.
The case was registered under Sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 127(2) (wrongful confinement) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, per a report by Hindustan Times.
Police identify accused as Ruchira Sachdeva
The accused has been identified as Ruchira Sachdeva, a resident of Camellias Apartments in Sector 42, Gurugram. Police said her husband runs a chain of liquor outlets.
“The accused is a housewife, and her husband is the proprietor of a chain of liquor outlets,” a police officer aware of the case told HT. The domestic worker is a Nepal national.
Describing the footage, the officer said, “In the video, the employer is seen assaulting the house help repeatedly, pulling her by hair, choking her, and shoving her inside the kitchen which was visible through a glass window."
Gurugram police PRO Sandeep Turan said Sachdeva told investigators that the incident took place on the night of July 24. According to Turan, the alleged assault followed a dispute related to work.
“It was a work-related dispute over which the woman assaulted the 22-year-old. Following the incident, the house help returned to Nepal on July 27,” Turan said.
FACT could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
Police probe confinement allegations
Investigators said the domestic worker was allegedly not permitted to use a phone or leave the residence. Police are also examining whether there were any earlier instances of alleged assault.
According to investigators, the accused couple produced a document purportedly signed by the domestic worker, requesting that no legal action be taken against them. Police said it would be established during the investigation whether she signed it voluntarily or was coerced.
Turan said the video provided preliminary evidence against Sachdeva, with her face clearly visible. Police teams subsequently traced her identity and questioned her before arresting her.
Victim's statement awaited
Police have obtained the domestic worker's details and will contact her to record her statement, HT reported.
Investigators said her statement will help establish whether the alleged assault happened once or repeatedly and whether she willingly signed the document seeking no legal action.
Police are also examining the circumstances surrounding her return to Nepal on July 27.