Maid suicide: Accused wife on the run

Mumbai: The second maid employed with Jogeshwari-based insurance firm official Nitin Khanna and his wife Heena, told the police that the couple harassed Jyoti Patekar (19), their househelp, over issues related to salary and leave. On Monday night, Ms Patekar committed suicide by jumping from the Khannas’ 18th floor apartment.

The second maid’s statement in effect corroborates the allegations leveled against the couple by Ms Patekar’s father, Harishchandra. Based on Harishchandra’s complaint against the couple, the Meghwadi police on Wednesday night registered a case of abetment of suicide against the Khannas, and arrested Nitin. Heena meanwhile has been untraceable, according to the police.

Navinchandra Reddy, deputy commissioner of police (zone 10), said, “The accused Nitin Khanna has been arrested and was produced in court on Thursday. He has been remanded to police custody till Saturday.”

“We are yet to arrest Heena Khanna, who will shed more light on the case, as she was the one who allegedly made calls to Ms Patekar’s mother and asked her to take her daughter back.”

Harishchandra, in his complaint, said that Ms Patekar had taken leave and was staying at their home in Ratnagiri from May 17 to June 5, during that time she often mentioned that her employers harassed and exploited her.