Couple Brands Toddler after Mother Fails to Repay Loan

By Express News Service

Published: 13th May 2015

VELLORE: Tirupattur police, on Tuesday, launched a search for a couple on charges of inflicting burn injuries and torturing a two-year-old girl child.

Bhuvaneswari

According to police, Seema and her husband Ranith tortured a two year-old girl, Bhuvaneswari,  daughter of Lakshmi and Ashwin Kumar of Bengaluru after they reportedly failed to repay a debt of Rs 3,000.

Seema and Lakshmi worked together in a brick kiln near Bengaluru five months ago.

“Lakshmi borrowed Rs 3,000 from Seema while they were working in the kiln. After the contract work in the kiln got over, Seema asked Lakshmi to come to Tirupattur and work here to repay the debt. She came along with her husband and two children and was living in rented house in Ambedkar Nagar in the town,” said the police official.

Lakshmi and her husband, leaving their children with Seema, used to go for daily wage work in hotels and market areas.

They have been paying Rs 100 to Seema for the last two months. However, Seema told Lakshmi that she has to pay the remaining amount with interest at the earliest.

Seema reportedly inflicted burn injuries using candle on Bhuvaneshwari. The

neighbours, on hearing the child’s painful screams, informed Lakshmi about the incident. Lakshmi confronted Seema and quarrelled with her for torturing her daughter.

Irked by this, Seema assaulted Lakshmi.

After admitting her daughter in the Government Hospital at Tirupattur, Lakshmi filed a complaint against Seema and her husband.

The police registered a case under sections 294 (b), 323. 324, 506 (i) and 506 (2) and 23 of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2000 and launched a search for the couple, who have been absconding since.