Had she not escaped the house of her employer- a doctor couple living in Kalkaji, one of the posh areas in Delhi- Ashaa would have died a silent death.

New Delhi: She left New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, for Delhi because she was promised a job and a better life. But what 13 year old Ashaa got instead was kicks, slaps and punches. Had she not escaped the house of her employer- a doctor couple living in Kalkaji, one of the posh areas in Delhi- Ashaa would have died a silent death.

On Monday night, a battered Ashaa with injuries all over her head, eyes and her right ear profusely bleeding, was admitted to AIIMS trauma centre. She was shivering out of fear and was unable to speak. On Tuesday, police produced her before the child welfare committee (CWC) where she narrated her tale.

Last year, a man named Inder Kumar convinced Ashaa to relocate to Delhi saying that he would get her job as a domestic help. Kumar runs a placement agency in South Delhi’s Taimoor Nagar area. Last August, Ashaa got employed with a couple- Vineet and Shivani in Kalkaji. She was to get Rs 2200 per month, which, she never received. Every time she spoke about money, her employer would thrash her.

On Monday night, she escaped and alerted a neighbour in the colony who informed police and dialed child line number 1098. Police rushed Ashaa to AIIMS where she received first aid.

Next day, CWC sent her to a shelter home.

On Friday, police arrested Vineet under relevant sections of juvenile justice act, child labour act and IPC.

Police raided the office of placement agency but found it locked. Inder Kumar is on the run.

(girl's name has been changed to protect identity)