A shocking case of domestic help abuse emerged from Gurgaon on Wednesday after cops found a maid stashed inside a cupboard with bruises.

A 14-year-old girl from Jharkhand was found inside a closet in a businessman's home in Gurgaon near Delhi on Wednesday.

The girl, who is now hospitalised, had bruises below her waist and was also bleeding from a knife cut on her back. Her eyes were also swollen due to her having been beaten.

Speaking to the police, she said that she was brought from Jharkhand seven months ago by her uncle, who handed her over to the businessman. She said working for her employer was difficult, as she would be beaten and was also starved on occasion. She added that she was beaten by a mop and even attacked with a knife once.

She was rescued by activists of the NGO Shakti Vahini, who went to the businessman’s home along with the police after a call to a helpline.

At first, they could not find the girl on raiding the residence. However, on a second search, the police found the girl unconscious, behind a closet. She had allegedly been hidden inside the closet the first time.

The chairman of Child Welfare Committee, Gurgaon, Shakuntala Dhull, said, “We have requested the police to find a shelter home for the girl. The police have also been asked to file an FIR under appropriate sections. As the girl belongs to a tribal family, the SC/ST acts will also be invoked.”