Goa doctor, wife convicted for child labour

They were sentenced to three years' simple imprisonment for employing two minor girls as maids at their residence.

October 25, 2014 11:54 am | Updated May 23, 2016 04:42 pm IST - PANAJI

Dr. Zelio D’Mello, Head of the Orthopaedic Department at the State-owned Goa Medical College and Hospital, and his wife Elaine have been sentenced to three years' simple imprisonment for employing two minor girls as maids at their residence.

The Children’s Court on Friday also imposed a penalty of Rs.1 lakh each on two counts under section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code.

The accused have been convicted for offences under Section 8(2) and 8(9) of  the Goa Children’s Act, 2003.

The doctor was charged with employing an under-age Goan girl at his house for domestic work in 2009 and was accused of ill-treating her.

The order was later suspended by the court till November 14 following an application moved by the accused seeking time to challenge the order.

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