Cops ignored complaints of teen who immolated self

The 15-year-old girl, who immolated herself on Monday and died a day later, had repeatedly been complaining to the police about the harassment.

The 15-year-old girl, who immolated herself on Monday and died a day later, had repeatedly been complaining to the police about the harassment.

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The Cuffe Parade police station sat on complaints, but have now swung into action. Four persons were arrested for harassing the girl.

Pallavi Balall, a resident of Geeta Nagar slum, killed herself on Monday night because she was being pressurised to get married to a man at whose house she worked as a domestic help. She quit her job last month, but the harassment did not stop.

On Tuesday night, Tahir Kadherkhan, 25, his elder brother Zakir, sister Sajarun and mother Gauri were arrested. They have been remanded in police custody till January 21.

“We have recorded the statements of the witness and other involved,” said a police officer.

Ballal’s uncle Mangesh said the accused’s family had been trying to force her to marry Tahir. Ballal met the Kadherkhan family in September 2010 when she was hired as their domestic help by Sajarun. In the FIR, Ballal’s family alleged that despite her quitting her job, Tahir and others continued to harass them.