The suspect woman was identified as Reena Kumar, a resident of nearby Shanti Nagar. She was employed with a businessman's family for eight years and the family, for the past several months, was battling with liver ailments the cause of which had remained a mystery until now.
The family in their complaint to the police on October 14 said the family members were falling ill for past several months and they suspected that something was amiss with the food they ate.
So they secretly installed a camera in the kitchen and came across a footage in which Kumar was seen mixing urine in food, said police.
"The cook was preparing food for the past eight years at my house. For the past several months, my family was having health complications. Today (on October 14) I found the video recording of her urinating in a utensil and thereafter preparing chapatis with it. We believe that this was going on for the past several months," the businessman's wife, the complainant from GH-7 high-rise, said in the FIR.
The Maid was working with the family since last 8 years. Almost whole family was suffering from liver disease. Imagine their ordeal and suffering for so long. What can be the reason behind this? How can someone even think of mixing urine in the food?#WorldFoodDay pic.twitter.com/WOGui6EZrc
— NCMIndia Council For Men Affairs (@NCMIndiaa) October 16, 2024
The police registered case under section 272 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) at Crossings Republik police station.
"We arrested Reena Kumar on Wednesday. During questioning, she repeatedly denied having done such an act, but when we confronted her with the video evidence, she fell silent. Thereafter, she kept changing her statements," said Lipi Nagayach, assistant commissioner of police, Wave City.
Police said the suspect later broke down and said she was angry with the family as they were keeping a strict watch on her.
"She told us that she was upset about the frequent criticisms regarding her work and the family would sometimes also rebuke her for mistakes. She said she was upset with this and committed the act as a sort of revenge. So far, we have not come across any such act being done at any other house where she is employed," the ACP said.
Family in shock
The businessman expressed his utter disbelief, noting that he had never suspected Reena, who had been part of their household for eight years. He reflected on a previous theft incident but maintained trust in her throughout their working relationship. However, this recent incident has left him and his family profoundly disturbed.
This disturbing incident highlights the importance of vigilance and trust in maintaining a safe home environment. It serves as a reminder for families to be cautious and attentive, even when dealing with long-term domestic help. The case has raised significant concerns about household safety, and further investigation will hopefully ensure justice for the affected family.
Possible hazards of contaminated food and water:
Using contaminated water to cook food can lead to serious health hazards. It can harbor harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, leading to foodborne illnesses like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Chemical contaminants, including heavy metals and pesticides, can accumulate in food, causing long-term health issues such as cancer, kidney damage, and neurological disorders. Moreover, contaminated water can degrade the nutritional quality of food, potentially leading to nutrient deficiencies. These health issues can result in significant medical expenses and economic burdens on affected communities.
