Domestic help stabs elderly for money, held

In yet another case of aggression by domestic help, a 73-year-old woman was attacked by her maid who tried to slit her throat in South Delhi’s posh Greater Kailash on Thursday morning. A senior police official said that the accused maid, identified as Tulsi, demanded Rs 5 lakh from her employer Neeraj Gupta. When refused, the maid stabbed Gupta. She was arrested.

Tulsi was employed at the house about six months ago. On Thursday, at around 2 pm she went to Gupta’s house and cooked food for the victim.

“Gupta asked her to have food with her, but Tulsi refused. Gupta also told her that she could leave if she wanted. However, later when Gupta was taking rest on a sofa while talking to her friend over the phone, Tulsi came from behind and choked her with a dupatta,” the police said.

The official further said that Gupta could not shout. However, she managed to free herself from the clutches of the accused and wanted to know why she was being attacked. At this, Tulsi demanded Rs 5 lakh from her. She told the victim that she needed the money for the treatment of her ailing mother.

“Gupta told Tulsi that she would arrange the money only if she could speak to her husband. But Tulsi brought a knife from the kitchen and stabbed her saying she needed the money instantly,” the police said, quoting the victim. 

The police further said that the victim again tried to convince Tulsi that she only had `15,000 cash and that she could arrange the full amount if she was allowed to talk to her husband. The victim also managed to reach near the gate of her house but the maid brought another knife and slit her throat. 

“Gupta requested her to spare her life and asked for a glass of water. She then managed to call her husband with the help of one of her neighbours. The police was also informed. The family members of the victim reached to her rescue. Meanwhile, the maid fled from there,” the police said. 

The victim was rushed to AIIMS where she was discharged after treatment.