Social welfare home death: Parents allege torture

MALDA: The mystery over the death of a girl at a social welfare home got a new dimension when her parents alleged negligence and torture to be the cause. A complaint in this regard was lodged at the English Bazaar police station on Thursday.
Dhanika Karmakar's parents alleged negligence on the part of the home authority. The superintendent of the home was served a showcause notice on Thursday.
Her mother Chintamoni Karmakar said, "My daughter had no ailment. She was tortured at the home and that caused her death." She blamed home super Mousumi Saha for Dhanika's death. Chintamoni said, "My daughter often used to say that she was not given adequate meal and the home madam was misbehaving with her."
Dhanika started staying at the home since March 12, 2013. She was supposed to be handed over to her parents after she turned 18. According to Chintamoni, "We decided to marry her off due to poverty. When we were told that Dhanika would receive education at government expense till 18, we agreed." She added, "On Wednesday, when I was informed that my daughter was suffering from fever, I rushed to the home but, by then she had died."
Dhanika's father Buddhadev said, "Last night, police threatened us against lodging any complaint."
Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury (Dalu), Union minister of state for health, demanded a high level inquiry into the incident. Gour Banga Human Rights Awareness Centre's Mrityunjoy Das demanded the interference of the HRC. Sabitri Mitra, minister in charge of women and social welfare, has instructed the DM to start an inquiry.