A tragic incident has come to light involving a 14-year-old girl from Pune, who was found hanged in an apartment in New Delhi. According to Pune City Police, a wealthy family had brought her there without her mother’s formal consent.
The deceased, identified as Shridevi Basbaraj Chauhan of Chandanagar, Pune, worked as a childcare worker for two children at an upscale residential complex in Vadgaon Sheri. A case of accidental death has been registered at the Vivek Vihar police station in New Delhi in this connection.
A Vivek Vihar police officer told the Pune Times Mirror: “ Shridevi had been working at a nursing home in Brahma Sun City for about a month and a half, where she looked after two children aged 3 and 7. On June 16, her family took her to Delhi, where she was found hanged on June 21. We are investigating the circumstances of her death.”
uthorities are also investigating the communication between Shridevi and her mother prior to the incident.
Shridevi was found hanged in the servants’ quarters of the owner’s residence in Delhi. After being informed by the Delhi Police, the Chandanagar Police Station in Pune arranged for her mother to travel to Delhi to complete the necessary procedures.
The Chauhan family, originally from Karnataka, lived in a rented house near Bramha Sun City with Shridevi’s mother, sister, and two brothers. They moved to Pune two years ago in search of daily labor.
Pune police request a thorough investigation
Senior Police Inspector Seema Dhakne confirmed to the Pune Times Mirror that Pune police have requested Delhi police to conduct a thorough investigation and autopsy, given the sensitive nature of the case.
The incident occurred in a ground-floor room used by domestic staff. An autopsy report is awaited.
Investigations revealed that Shridevi’s sister was unaware of her presence in Delhi. The sister also mentioned that Shridevi seemed happy during a call the day before her death, describing her trip and the treatment she received from her family.
Police said employing a 14-year-old girl as a caregiver violates child labor laws.
Shridevi’s family claims she was taken to Delhi without her mother’s consent. However, Delhi Police have informed Pune authorities that no formal complaint has been filed.
Shridevi’s body is expected to be flown to Karnataka for final rites. The incident has sparked public outrage and calls for a deeper investigation into the working conditions of minors in urban homes.
Pune police will continue the investigation once the family returns to Vadgaon Sheri. Meanwhile, child rights activists and authorities are seeking to investigate possible violations of child labor and human trafficking laws.
