Mumbai:
Normally, one hears of horror stories of servants killing or looting their employers. However, in a fresh twist of events, a servant came to the rescue of her owner after one of her other servants stabbed her repeatedly.
Sandhya, the brave domestic help, came to the rescue of her employer by helping nab one of the attackers, who tried to stab her.
When the attackers tried to flee, in a manner inspired from a Bollywood flick, Sandhya rushed to the lift and pressed the alarm stalling the lift, which helped nab one of the assaulters.
The incident took place on March 8 when Vikram Kumar, a cook called his friend Gautam Kumar to Priya's home in Quantum Park, Khar West, with the intention to rob the house.
Trying to get rid of any obstacles that could hamper the robbery, Vikram called Rakesh (21), a male servant working in the house to the bathroom.
However, when Rakesh entered the bathroom, both Vikram and Gautam jumped on him, and the duo tried to strangulate him.
Hearing noises and suspecting something was wrong, Sandhya, the maid, went to the bathroom and was shocked to see Rakesh being strangulated. She immediately rushed and called her employer.
When the employer reached the bathroom, she started screaming at Gautam and Vikram.
However, Gautam and his accomplice caught her and stabbed her with a pair of scissors. She sustained injuries to her face and hands.
After repeatedly stabbing the employer, the duo tried to flee the scene. While Gautam tried to flee by the elevator, Vikram took the stairs.
Displaying her presence of mind, Sandhya, who had the presence of mind pressed the alarm button of the lift and kept screaming.
Hearing the screams for help, Deep Chand, the liftman rushed to help and nabbed Gautam inside the lift. However, Vikram was able to escape.
Confirming the incident, Senior Inspector Mangesh Pote, Khar police station said, "One of the accused is in custody while we are still looking for the cook who managed to escape."
When MiD DAY spoke to the employer, she recounted the horror and said that she lived in constant worry.
"I had hired Vikram from a domestic agency in Lower Parel by the name of Human Helping Hands. The agency was irresponsible and did not send the right people. Today it is me, tomorrow it can be anyone else. If the agency had checked the documents, this would have not happened."
She added, "I am now scared whenever my doorbell rings. I am thankful to my loyal servants. I trust them more than anything."
In a token gesture to thank her servants, Priya also rewarded her help for their bravery.
"I have rewarded Sandhya with Rs 5,000 and a gold chain and Rakesh with Rs 4,500 and 15 days paid leave to show my appreciation. I have also given Deep Chand Rs 5,000."
The building residents have also decided to felicitate them with Rs 10,000 for their valour and presence of mind.
A police officer from Khar police station added, "We are planning to felicitate the two servants and the lift man."
"We check all documents of each and every domestic help that we hire. She should have also visisted the nearest police station for the verification. We can verify their address and their papers. I am shocked that such a thing has happened," said Rahul Mondal, one of the partners of Human Helping Hands, Lower Parel.