File photo of Rakhi Bhadra
35-year-old Rakhi Bhadra was brought to the national capital from West Bengal with the promise of a livelihood. But over the last 10 months as a domestic help at parliamentarian Dhananjay Singh's house in the heart of Delhi, she was brutally abused and allegedly tortured by the MP's wife, Dr Jagriti Singh, till she succumbed to death.
Now, almost a week after she died, no one has come forward to claim her body. Her son, who went missing after being reportedly brought to Delhi from West Bengal by the Delhi Police, has been traced to his hometown near Kolkata. Last seen on Thursday, his mobile phone was since switched off. Rakhi's body lies unclaimed at the mortuary of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
A team of Delhi Police had been sent to Kolkata to bring the family members of Rakhi so her body could be handed over to them.
The team in West Bengal is also in search of placement agent Dev Kumar, who is on the run. He had brought Rakhi and another domestic help Meena from West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district around a year ago.
But during their entire stay at Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Dhananjay Singh's house, both were not paid a single penny for the job and were allegedly tortured by the MP's wife.
Details of the autopsy conducted on Rakhi by a team of three doctors last Friday is still not out, but sources involved in the investigation say the initial report suggested Rakhi died of the injuries on her body, apparently caused by physical torture. Her body had burn marks and injuries on the chest, stomach, arms and legs.
The politician and his wife were arrested on Tuesday night, hours after Rakhi was found dead at their home. The BSP MP has been accused of destruction of evidence; his wife has been charged with murder.
Meanwhile, BSP chief Mayawati today said her party will take action against Mr Singh once the police probe report is out.
"We are looking as to what action is being taken legally against him...when law takes a final decision with regard to him we will also take action," said Mayawati.