Saudi, Oct 9 (Agencies): A 58-year-old Indian woman's right arm was chopped off by her employer in Saudi Arabia after she tried to escape, her family has alleged.
The incident reportedly happened on the night of September 29 when Kashturi Munirathinam, working as a domestic help, tried to escape from her employer's house. Her family in Tamil Nadu has alleged that she was being tortured by her employer.
"Kashturi's employer was angered after she apprised local officials about the harassment she was facing there, she was not even provided food," S Vijayakumari, sister of Ms Munirathinam, told news agency PTI.
"When she tried to escape the harassment and torture, her right hand was chopped off by the woman employer. She fell down and sustained serious spinal injuries," Ms Vijayakumari said.
"She has now been hospitalised in Riyadh and is in a serious condition," she said, appealing the government to bring her sister back home "immediately and help in her treatment".
Ms Munirathinam's family claims they got to know about the incident "through agents who sent her to Saudi Arabia". They also claim to have a video message recorded with a mobile phone.
The government has condemned the incident and has demanded "severe punishment" for the accused.
"This is unacceptable. We have taken this up with Saudi authorities. Our embassy is in touch with the victim," External Affairs Ministry Sushma Swaraj said.
The family of Ms Munirathinam, who belongs to Vellore district in Tamil Nadu, says she had gone to Saudi Arabia to work as a domestic help only three months back.
Hand chopping incident: It's unacceptable, says Sushma Swaraj
New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI): Terming as "unacceptable" the incident where an Indian woman's hand was chopped off by her employer in Saudi Arabia, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today 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," Swaraj said today.
The Minister said Indian embassy is in touch with the victim, 55-year-old Kashturi Munirathinam.
Condemning the incident in strong words, Swaraj said on twitter, "This is unacceptable. We have taken this up with Saudi authorities."
India has demanded that a case of attempted murder be lodged against the culprit.
The family of the woman, 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.
"This is a very unfortunate and most condemnable incident.
"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," the Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry had said.
Munirathinam is currently being looked after in a Saudi hospital.