Three people, including two women, were arrested Tuesday in West Bengal’s Howrah district after a woman who worked as a maid in their house alleged she was raped and tortured, police said.

The incident came to light Sunday after the 32-year-old woman was hospitalised with serious burn injuries.

“In her statement, the victim has alleged she was raped and tortured by the house owners, who accused her of stealing. On the basis of her statement, today (Tuesday) we arrested a man for alleged rape and two women for causing grievous hurt, among other charges,” investigating officer S. Bondopadhyay said.

The woman said she was repeatedly branded with a hot metal spatula by the house members who accused her of theft.

“I kept on pleading that I have not stolen the money and the watch but they kept on branding me with a smouldering spatula. Later, my landlord took me inside a room and raped me,” said the victim.