Hyderabad woman sold in Saudi Arabia for Rs 3 lakh, faces physical harassment by her sponsor; Sushma Swaraj intervenes

Hyderabad: A woman from Hyderabad has sent an audio message to her daughter, alleging that she is facing mental and physical harassment by her sponsor in Saudi Arabia. She has further requested the Indian government to bring her back to India.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday asked the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia to rescue and repatriate the woman.

Swaraj's direction to the Indian embassy officials in Riyadh came after The Times of India reported that the woman was deceived by her agents and was now physically harassed by her sponsor.

In a series of tweets, the minister said, "I have asked Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia to rescue and repatriate her to India at the earliest. I have asked @ProtectorGenGOI to proceed against the agent who sent her to Saudi Arabia."

Salma Begum, 39, a resident of Babanagar 'C' block, was allegedly sent to Saudi Arabia by two agents identified as Akram and Shafi of the same locality on January 21, 2017 on a housemaid visa, reported the daily.

As per Sameena, the daughter of Salma Begum, her mother was deceived by Akram and Shafi.

"My mother is in trouble in Saudi. She wants to return home but her Kafeel is not allowing her to get back here. I even met Akram requesting him to get my mother back, but he did nothing so far. We went to Kanchanbagh police station, but the police appear to be unmoved by the matter and have not taken any action so far,'' Sameena said.

She added that she came to know that her mother was sold to the sponsor for Rs 3 lakhs.

"The torture started when she denied to a contract marriage with her Kafeel (sponsor) in Saudi Arabia. She, however, informed me sending a message that she was sold by agents. So the Kafeel does not want to send her back,'' Sameena added.

She further said that police have not taken any action against the agents despite several complaints.

"I am trying all efforts to bring my mother back home. I kindly request Telangana and central governments to bring my mother back to India,'' Sameena urged.