Hyderabad: A child rights team in conjunction with the labour department conducted a raid at the MLA quarters on Monday in the locality of Hyderguda. Two minors, including a girl, were rescued from the quarters of a senior TRS leader and former MLA Harishwar Reddy.

A 13-year-old girl who was working at the house of former Assembly deputy speaker Koppula Harishwar Reddy was rescued on Monday, officials said. The girl, hailing from Mahbubnagar (Penumalle village), was working at Reddy’s house since 18 months, who was made to do domestic work.

A 14-year-old boy, found working in the canteen at old MLA quarters, was also rescued on Monday. The boy was known to be hailed from Ibrahimpatnam. A case was registered against Harishwar Reddy under Section 14 of the Child Labour Act and a fine of Rs 20,000 was imposed on him.

Alerted by representatives of child rights’ NGO Balala Hakkula Sangham, labour department officials raided at the residence of Reddy at quarter 202 in Old MLA Quarters. Sources said three minors were working in the canteen, but when the raid team reached the spot, the contractor and two boys fled. Both the girl and the boy were shifted to rescue homes.

Anuradha Rao, president of Balala Hakkula Sangham, said, “Both the children were brought from their villages and were forced to work in pathetic conditions. We demand that Harishwar Reddy, who is a member of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), be suspended from the party for employing a child. It is really pathetic to see law makers violate the rules, especially those of children who are made to slog in pathetic conditions.”