MLA Son Home Issue

CHENNAI: An 18-year-old girl employed as a maid at the Pallavaram MLA's home was abused and branded, and Neelankarai police have filed a complaint against the MLA's son and daughter-in-law.

After interviewing the girl at the Ulundurpet government hospital, members of the all-female police station filed a complaint against MLA Karunanidhi's son Anto Mathivanan and his spouse Marlina Ann.

The case was filed under several different categories, including criminal intimidation, assault, and abuse. There has also been reference to the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

After her father passed away in April 2023, Rekha from Thirunarunkundram village, which is close to Ulundurpet, was sent to work in Anto Mathivanan's home. When she returned home for Pongal and told her mother about the experience, she lodged a complaint at Ulundurpet.

The police station in Neelankarai received the complaint. Rekha claimed that because Ann had threatened to harm her and her family if she complained, she had remained silent for a certain amount of time. Rekha displayed her head injury and the scars from branding with a hair straightener to the public on Friday during a news appearance in Madurai. Rekha claimed that although she was paid ₹16,000 a month to clean the house and chop vegetables, she was forced to labor from 6 a.m. till 10 p.m. "Ann used to beat me with a broom, ladle, and shoes and took away my cell phone. She made me sign a contract promising to work for six months before I could go home," the woman recalled.

"Ann would be there when my mother called, and if I tried to reveal even the slightest bit of the abuse I was going through in the house, she would slap or beat me."

She added that they did not want her to share the meal prepared for them and that her possessions were stored in one of the apartment's restrooms. She was also given a bag of PDS rice. She said that she had injuries to her hands, face, and torso as a result of the frequent beatings.

Selvi, Rekha's mother, admitted to reporters that she had no idea what her daughter was going through at that home. They seem to be assisting my kid with her studies, but we are not wealthy. She sobbed as she replied, "But the woman brutally tortured her."

MLA Pallavaram I Karunanithi denied any involvement in the event to TOI. I have lived in Chromepet for forty years, and my son relocated to Thiruvanmiyur seven years ago on the first day of their marriage. I tried in vain to talk to my kid after learning about the tragedy only through the media. I won't get involved; let the cops take action against the offender. The girl claims that neither my son nor I were involved. "I'm not sure what transpired there," he remarked. Karunanidhi is a Pallavaram assembly segment MLA who has served twice.

When the hospital evaluated her injuries, they informed the police. Police, however, stated to India Today TV that neither the woman nor her family has made any complaints to them.

"We contacted them after receiving information from the government hospital. However, neither in Ulundurpet nor in Chennai has a formal complaint been lodged yet, according to an official.

"I can share videos of how they kept her well, celebrated her birthday and all," he said.

According to Karunanithi, the woman was talking on the phone with someone, and "someone in the background" was pressuring her to make the accusations against his family. He clarified, though, that because he doesn't frequently visit his son's residence, he has "no connection" to the entire affair.

The woman had prior injury marks when she started working for his son, according to the DMK MLA.