A chilling case of alleged bonded labour and child exploitation has surfaced from Wada in Palghar district, where a 10-year-old tribal girl from the Katkari community was allegedly taken away for domestic work and subjected to months of physical and verbal abuse. The accused, identified as Juliana Leslie Patil from Uttan in Mira-Bhayander, has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and the Bonded Labour Abolition Act.
An FIR filed at Wada Police Station details the ordeal of the child, Kavita (name changed), and the struggle of her grandmother Yogita (name changed, 55), who filed the complaint.
The ‘Ganpati advance’
The incident dates back to the Ganpati festival of 2024, when the accused, Juliana, arrived unannounced at the family’s home in Gaurapur, Katkari Wadi, Wada.
Yogita, who works as a labourer with her husband at a brick kiln in Kharbao, lives with her extended family, including four children of her deceased son.
According to the FIR, Patil saw the children playing outside and offered to take the eldest, Kavita, for housework. “I told her I would not send Kavita,” Yogita said. “But she insisted, saying if Kavita didn’t wish to stay, she would send her back.”
Kavita, the 10-year-old tribal girl. Pics/By special arrangement
Patil allegedly lured the child by saying, “You have no work htere, and we have plenty to eat and no trouble there.” Despite the family’s refusal, Patil took the girl and handed Yogita Rs 5000-Rs 6000 in cash, calling it an advance. The family, struggling financially, admitted accepting the amount under distress.
The family is of the opinion that the accused, knowing Kavita was a minor from the tribal community, still took her away against their wishes and opposition.
Nine months of forced labour
Kavita was kept at Patil’s residence in Mira-Bhayandar from Ganpati 2024 to June 2025. When she was finally brought back home, Yogita questioned her, and was horrified by what she heard.
“She told me that she was forced to do housework, wash utensils, lift heavy fish crates, dry and collect fish, wash and dry clothes, and mop the floor,” the grandmother detailed in the FIR.
The minor told her grandmother that she was beaten, verbally abused, and threatened daily if she refused to work. Kavita further revealed the appalling treatment she endured: “She said that if she didn’t work, [Juliana] would abuse her and hit her”.
The threat
Even after Kavita’s return in June 2025, the accused allegedly continued sending money to lure the child back for work. Yogita stated that during the following monsoon season, Juliana transferred around Rs 5000-R6000 in instalments to the bank account of a local grocery store owner, Rupali Dinesh Jadhav, which Yogita later collected in cash.
The situation escalated on October 22, 2025, around 9 am, when Juliana arrived unannounced at Yogita’s home in Gaurapur.
“I did not call her,” Yogita said. “The moment Kavita saw Juliana, she ran away in fear.” When confronted, Juliana allegedly told Yogita she had come to take the child back for housework. Yogita refused, saying, “Kavita is not willing to go for housework, that’s why she ran away when she saw you.”
Juliana then allegedly issued a direct threat:
“If Kavita doesn’t come back to work, I’ll file a police complaint to recover the advance money you took.”
Police action taken
Alarmed by Juliana’s aggressive behaviour, Yogita began shouting for help, drawing the attention of neighbours Chetan Pawar, Ram Pawar, and Suraj Manoj Dalvi. They advised her to immediately report the matter to the police.
Members of the Shramjeevi Sanghatana, including Rekha Tai Parhad (district women’s head), Bharat Jadhav (taluka president), Dalvi (secretary), and activists Aadesh Wagh, Namdev Pawar, Netra Manjhe, and Chetna Pawar, soon arrived and assisted Yogita in filing a complaint.
The Wada police registered an FIR on October 22 at 11.20 pm against Juliana, charging her under:
. Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976: Sections 16, 17, 18
. Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986: Section 14
. SC/ST (PoA) Act, 1989: Sections 3(1)(h), 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s)
. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: Sections 146, 115, 351
“We have taken the complaint seriously, and a detailed investigation is underway. Further details will be shared once the inquiry progresses,” said Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Jawhar SS Maher.
The family is now seeking protection and justice for young Kavita, the 10-year-old survivor of alleged bonded child labour.
OCT 22
Day FIR was registered
