Panaji (Goa): An eight year daughter of a domestic help, has complained of torture by the authorities at the notorious state government-run Apna Ghar. Her mother has reached out to the media alleging that caretakers threaten and assault the minor, and fear of being further harassed prompted her to escape from the institution last Saturday.

“She ran away from Apna Ghar last Saturday because she is beaten and harassed by the staff. She was once locked in the bathroom and is not given proper food… Despite all this, I informed the authorities that the girl has returned home, but they came late night and took her away,” the mother, whose name cannot be published to protect the juvenile’s identity, told a press briefing today.

The mother has also accused the child welfare committee of refraining her from meeting her daughter every time she approaches them. She has charged them with threatening to file a false case if she pursues the case.

“The CWC has been threatening to file a false case against me, if I don’t stop pursuing the matter. My daughter is in danger and I want to rescue her. Many attempts to get her custody were rejected by the CWC. They have falsely charged my daughter with begging and lodged her in the care and protection unit (at Apna Ghar),” she stated.

NGO Savera that has approached the government demanding justice and has also decided to file a complaint with the Goa Human Rights Commission against the harassment meted out to the mother-daughter duo.