Child Labour Allegations Rock Samajwadi Party MLA's Household

Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Zahid Beg and his wife face allegations of subjecting a 17-year-old girl to child labour at their home for over two years. The Uttar Pradesh Labour Department has issued a notice demanding they pay the girl’s wages. Legal action looms if they fail to respond within a week.

Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Zahid Beg and his wife have been issued a notice for allegedly subjecting a minor girl to child labour at their official residence in Bhadohi for over two years, according to officials on Thursday.

The Uttar Pradesh Labour Department served the notice to the couple, requiring a response within a week. Labour Enforcement Officer J P Singh stated that Beg and his wife have been accused of holding the 17-year-old captive and forcing her to work without pay.

This action follows the tragic suicide of another teenager at the MLA's residence earlier this week, resulting in a rescue operation of the 17-year-old girl by Bhadohi police and Labour Enforcement Department personnel. The rescued girl was handed over to a social organisation and confirmed to be 17 years old after a medical examination. Child Welfare Committee chairman, P C Upadhyay, has instructed the Labour Department to take appropriate action, including the deposit of over two years' worth of wages into the girl's new bank account. Further legal action will ensue if the notice is ignored.

(With inputs from agencies.)