Calling the assault on a woman from Tamil Nadu by her Saudi Arabian employer “unacceptable”, New Delhi has asked Riyadh to ensure an “independent probe” and “severe punishment” for the perpetrator.
“Chopping of hand of Indian lady - We are very much disturbed over the brutal manner in which Indian lady has been treated in Saudi Arabia (sic),” wrote External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Twitter on Friday.
The right hand of a 55-year-old Kasthuri Munirathinam, who worked as domestic help in Saudi Arabia, was chopped off by her employer late on September 29 night. “This is unacceptable. We have taken this up with Saudi (Arabian) authorities (sic),” added Swaraj.
Kasthuri was “punished” for complaining about torture and delay in payment of her wages. Her hand was chopped off when she was trying to escape harassment.
She subsequently fell from the balcony of the house, said her family in Tamil Nadu.
She also sustained spinal injuries and was admitted to hospital in Riyadh, they added.
Officials of the Embassy of India in Riyadh met Kasthuri in hospital. Her condition is said to be stable now.
“Our Mission in Riyadh is actively pursuing the matter with the Saudi authorities. We had raised the issue on October 7 itself with their Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and asked for strict action in the matter and severe punishment for the sponsor,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup on Friday.
Victim’s family in dire straits
The family of Kasturi Munirathnam, whose right hand was chopped off by her employer in Saudi Arabia, is in shambles now for she is its only breadwinner, DHNS reports from Chennai.
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