In a video posted on their social media account, the couple said they chose to speak publicly to raise awareness. “Hello friends… a very big incident has happened with us and it is important for us to talk to you about that incident because we want to make a lot of people aware about it. It can happen in anyone’s life or it can happen in your neighbourhood, for which it is important for you to be aware,” Avinash said.
He explained that the matter came to light when their live-in house help, Gudiya, suddenly broke down in tears. According to Avinash, Gudiya told them her elder sister had been placed at a house in Kharghar through a domestic help agency and was allegedly being prevented from leaving.
The couple claimed the woman had initially agreed to the job after being told she would care for pets. Within days, they said, her workload increased to include cooking, cleaning and other household chores despite health issues following a Caesarean section. When she requested to leave, the employers allegedly refused, stating they had already paid the agency. Avinash said the agency later informed them that no payment had in fact been received.
Sambhavna recounted receiving a distressed phone call from the woman, who reportedly said she had vomited several times, had not been given food and had not eaten for two days. The couple alleged that when agency representatives tried to reach the flat, they were stopped by society security. Sambhavna then contacted the woman at the residence directly. After recognising the actress, the woman’s tone softened, Sambhavna claimed. She assured her that any payment issue would be resolved and requested the domestic worker’s immediate release.
According to the couple, the house help continued to plead for help, saying she feared for her life and had been threatened with severe violence if she attempted to leave. They further alleged that the main door had been locked for several days, her Aadhaar card confiscated and her clothes hidden to prevent escape.
Members of the placement agency, assisted by an NGO worker living in the same society, eventually entered the building and helped the woman leave, the couple said. Sambhavna thanked the NGO worker who went to the 30th floor and facilitated the exit. She alleged that during the escape the woman’s husband slapped the domestic worker and that the worker sustained injuries while descending the stairs.
The couple criticised the initial response from Kharghar police, claiming assistance was not provided despite repeated requests. They later approached Bangur Nagar Police Station in Mumbai. Avinash said senior officers apologised for the earlier delay, an FIR was registered, statements were recorded and evidence collected after discussions that continued until 8 a.m.
Gudiya also appeared in the video and thanked the couple, stating that without their intervention her sister might not have survived. She appealed for strict action against those responsible.
Concluding the video, Sambhavna urged the public not to ignore signs of abuse in their surroundings. “Our sole purpose of making this video is to make people aware. In every society there may be a person or a family troubling others. If anything wrong is happening around you, raise your voice. Even knocking on someone’s door once can stop an incident,” she said. “This is not about rich or poor. This is about right and wrong. Humanity says that we should help each other.”
The couple added that they possess substantial evidence against the alleged employers and warned that if the individuals do not change their conduct they will make their identities public. The matter is now under police investigation following the registration of the FIR.
