Crimes in Delhi’s upscale areas expose loopholes in hiring domestic helps

Within a week, Delhi has witnessed two major crimes – the murder of an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer’s daughter and a dacoity at a businessman’s private residence. Both incidents took place in affluent parts of the city and had domestic help involved in the crime. Delhi Police have increasingly insisted on getting tenant and domestic help verifications done by holding meetings with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and special drives for residents. However, the police say not many people are forthcoming, owing to a lack of awareness and the informal nature of these jobs. While RWA members say they do door-to-door checks once in a while, they increasingly realise it is not in their power to enforce these laws. 

An elderly couple, their daughter-in-law and a child were held hostage on April 16 by two of their unverified domestic helpers and their accomplices, who looted away their cash and valuables in the Golf Links area, in the heart of Lutyens Delhi. Just five days later, on April 21, in south-east Delhi’s Kailash Hills, an IRS officer’s daughter was raped and killed by their domestic help in an attempt to take away the cash. The help was (unverified) in this case as well.