A Saudi employer has chopped off an Indian maid’s hand in Riyadh, evoking strong condemnation from India which demanded that a case of attempted murder be lodged against the culprit.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj condemned the incident and said that this is unacceptable and it has been taken up with Saudi authorities.
In a series of tweets, Sushma also said that our embassy is in touch with the victim.
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.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 9, 2015
This is unacceptable. We have taken this up with Saudi authorities.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 9, 2015
Our embassy is in touch with the victim.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 9, 2015
The family of a 55-year-old Kashturi Munirathinam, working as a domestic help in Saudi Arabia, has alleged that her right hand was chopped off by her employer when she tried
to escape harassment and torture.
ALSO READ: Saudi Shocker: Employer Chops Off Indian Maid’s Hand In Riyadh
Seeking help to bring Kashturi Munirathinam back from Saudi Arabia, the family has sent representations to the state and central governments. DMK MP Kanimozhi has also sent a
letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj seeking her help in this regard.
“When she tried to escape harassment and torture, her right hand was chopped off by the woman employer. She fell down and sustained serious spinal injuries,” S Vijayakumari,
sister of Munirathinam, said.
She said Munirathinam had gone to Saudi Arabia to work as a domestic help only three months ago.
“Kasturi’s employer was angered after she apprised local officials about the harassment she was facing there, she was not even provided food,” she said.
Asked how the family got to know the incident, Vijayakumari said it was “through agents who sent her to Saudi.”
The attack occurred on the intervening night of September 29-30, she said.
“She has now been hospitalised in Riyadh and is in a serious condition, our appeal is please bring her back home immediately and help in her treatment,” she said.
While Munirathinam’s sister lives here, her family is in their village Moongilarei in Vellore district in Tamil Nadu.
(With PTI inputs)