A 27-year-old woman was taken into custody for physically torturing her two minor stepsons, including burning their private parts, for not doing household chores in Mumbai's Vasai.
The children's father filed a complaint against his second wife with the Valiv police after discovering the horrific mistreatment.
The children, aged 7 and 8, were staying with their father after their parents got divorced. The man entered an arranged marriage with the woman who knew about his children from his previous relationship.
He often remains out of town because of his work with the belief that his children would be taken care of by their stepmother.
Over the weekend, when the father spent more time at home, he observed changes in his sons' behavior and also noticed injury marks on their bodies. Upon inquiry, the children revealed the physical torture they were being subjected to.
The children revealed that the abuse began shortly after their marriage, but it intensified in June. She allegedly pressed a hot knife to their private parts for not completing household chores on time. The boys mentioned being forced to sweep & mop the floor, wash utensils, and do laundry. They added that she had threatened of dire consequences if they revealed it to their father.
The police have charged the woman under the Juvenile Justice and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Acts.