Chennai domestic help murder: Are domestic workers legally protected?

Chennai Police arrested Mohammad Nishad, his wife Nasriya, and four others in connection with the death of a 15-year-old domestic worker in Aminjikarai. The girl, from Thanjavur, had been employed in December 2023 to care for the couple’s child. Investigators uncovered evidence of mistreatment, leading to charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The couple fled after the incident but were located and detained along with their domestic help, Nishad’s sister, and two associates. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the welfare of domestic workers, particularly minors, in India. Previous incidents, such as the cases involving diplomat Devyani Khobragade in 2013 and a 12-year-old worker in Assam in 2021, underscore the need for stronger legal protections in this sector.