Employer strangles zari worker for taking leave

A 27-year-old embroidery worker was strangled and beaten to death, allegedly by his employer and three others at Cheetah Camp in Trombay, for taking leave from work.

A 27-year-old embroidery worker was strangled and beaten to death, allegedly by his employer and three others at Cheetah Camp in Trombay, for taking leave from work. Four men have been arrested for the murder.

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Zaffar Sheikh, a resident of Sector D in Cheetah Camp, had been employed at a zari workshop for 10 years.

Workshop owner Nizam-uddin Sheikh (45), according to Zaffar’s family, used to torture and harass him.

“They used to make Zaffar work for 12 hours,” alleged Ibrahim Sheikh, Zaffar’s father.

The family said that on Monday, at 3 pm, Nizamuddin came to Zaffar’s house and demanded that he report to work. Zaffar, who was on leave, said he would resume work after two days.

Later, afraid that Nizam-uddin would beat him, Zaffar took his mother Naseem along to the workshop.

“A man blocked my way and told me to get the money (that was owed to Nizam-uddin),” Naseem said.

An hour later, an employee called her house and told the family that Zaffar had been admitted to a local hospital. “When we reached the hospital, Zaffar had already died,” said Ibrahim.