Indian help's arm chopped off by Saudi employer, MEA seeks probe

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has taken up the matter with the Saudi Foreign Office and asked for strict action in the matter.

This October 5, 2015 photo shows the relatives of Kasturi meeting Vellore Collector R. Nanthagopal, urging him to take measures to rescue her. Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy

The incident of a Saudi employer allegedly chopping off an Indian help’s hand, has evoked strong condemnation from India which has demanded that a case of attempted murder be lodged against the culprit.

The Hindu had reported on Wednesday that the family members of Kasturi have >petitioned to the Vellore Collector R. Nanthagopal to take urgent steps to rescue her.

Kasturi's son Mohan is expected to submit a petition in the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's cell in Chennai on Friday.

'Unacceptable'

Terming the incident as “unacceptable”, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the matter has been taken up with Saudi authorities.

“We are very much disturbed over the brutal manner in which Indian lady has been treated in Saudi Arabia,” Ms. Swaraj said.

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

“We are aware of the plight of Kasturi Munirathinam, a domestic help who has suffered serious injuries allegedly inflicted by her Saudi Arabian sponsor. This is a very unfortunate and most condemnable incident." he Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said.

“Our Embassy in Riyadh has taken up the matter with the Saudi Foreign Office and asked for strict action in the matter and severe punishment for the sponsor. We have also sought an independent probe in the incident and urged that a case of attempted murder be lodged against the sponsor so that he is punished, if found guilty as per law,” he said.

Kasturi is currently being looked after in a Saudi hospital, he said.

“India also proposes to take up this issue in the JWG on Labour Matters with Saudi Arabia which will be held in New Delhi on October 12-13 and is the established institutional mechanism for such matters,” he added.

“We will continue to seek justice for the victim,” he said.