3 actresses booked for employing child helps

Mumbai, Aug. 25: In the wake of growing abuse of domestic help and minors, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday filed cases against three actresses — Bollywood star-singer Suchitra Krishnamoorthi and television stars Laxmi and Uma Khan — for allegedly employing child labour. “We have initiated police action against them under various sections of the Child Labour and Prohibition Act, 1986, Juvenile Justice Act and other laws for employing child labour,” labour secretary Kavita Gupta said. She also promised action against television actress Urvashi Dharnorkar, who was arrested Saturday on charges of beating, burning and confining her 10-year old maid. Earlier, Labour minister Nawab Malik told journalists that the labour department had information that at least two actresses had employed minor girls (below 14 years of age) as domestic labour.
“We have initiated the necessary proceedings against the actresses. We appeal to people to give us information about individuals who employ child labour so we can take suitable steps,” Mr Malik said. Ms Gupta said that Suchitra, former wife of film director Shekhar Kapoor, had employed a minor girl, Naranti from Meghalaya. Laxmi had employed Laila Khan while Uma Khan had employed Shanti Vishwakarma at their homes.
“Some NGOs got a tip off and managed to rescue the minor girls — Naranti, Laila and Shanti. With the help of the labour department, they have lodged police complaints against them,” she said.
Ms Gupta said that employing children below 14 years of age in households was prohibited under law because domestic work of all kind is categorized under “hazardous activities”.