The maid Zohra had apparently confessed to the crime to Harshu, her employer. Interestingly, there were no missing reports lodged with the police when Zohra apparently did not return home. She allegedly had run from the house when Harshu threatened to take action.
The chaos over the alleged assault of a Bangladeshi Muslim woman in a Noida flat and the ensuing chaos after that bring to light not only the plight of immigrant workers from other states and countries, but also the dilemma that residents face when experiencing legal violation. However, holding back a servant on suspicion of theft is a human rights violation anyways. But the question that arises now is how should household help be dealt with if caught in committing a crime?
Firstly, there are ways to ensure that such things do not happen in the first place. While proper background check needs to be done, it has also to be ensured that they are provided basic amenties so that they are not lured into crime. Hirers should also ensure that they are paid their dues on time andhave fixed description of roles and responsibilities and working hours specified at the time of hire.
The missing links in the Noida case:
No police complaints were lodged: 30-year old Zohra was apprehended in the premises of Mahagun Moderne Society in Sector 78 on Wednesday morning on charges of theft. Almost immediately in the afternoon, 500 of her friends and acquaintances gathered around the complex to demand her release. The question is how did they come to know about the incident and how did Zohra's husband mobilise the crowd so quickly? Moreover, why were there no police complaints then and later on even when Zohra was released?
Hazy details: The details about the case are not clear, although Times of India had carried a report revealing what had happened that day at the Noida flat, which led to the chaos. Harshu Sethi, the employer of Zohra confronted Zohra for stealing Rs 17,000. According to Harshu, she would find money missing from her purse every now and then. Once she found Rs 17,000 missing from her purse and confronted Zohra and claimed that she has the CCTV footage of her stealing the money.
Giving in to the hoax, Zohra is said to have confessed to the crime and said that she had taken Rs 10,000 and that Harshu could adjust the money from her subsequent salaries. She also requested Harshu not to report this to the society management because she would lose all the work. When Harshu went inside to fetch a stole and asked Zohra to wait, the later fled, leaving behind her mobile in a hurry. Harshu apparently went to the society administration and complained and offered to return the mobile. But the society returned the mobile back to her and said that they will handle the matter. Harshu was later visited by Zohra's husband who claimed that Zohra had not returned home. Next morning, the man brought his friends and relatives to attack Harshu's house. If we are to believe Harshu's version, why didn't Zohra's husband go to the police if she was really missing? Why did he wait for next morning to bring in the mob and attack Harshu and her family?
Where was Zohra? There are no details whatsoever about the 'rescue' and rehabilitation of Zohra. It was said that she was kept captive (which goes against Harshu's statement) and was sexually and physically assaulted. The medical examination of Zohra, however, does not show any sign of assault. It is also not clear where and how she was rescued from. To add to this, the police has not released any statement by Zohra. Why?
Given the murky details that are available, it is impossible to judge who was at fault, but it indeed leaves a question behind: What to do if your household help is caught stealing? Was what Harshu did really reproachable and against human rights? Perhaps not.
