Abu Dhabi: 'We were Kind to Sumati Kotian, Never Tortured Her'

Daijiworld Media Network

Abu Dhabi, Feb 12: Following a report published on Saturday in daijiworld.com, which had been reproduced from Mid-Day of Mumbai, the Lewis family in question has contacted daijiworld.com and issued a statement of clarification from their side.

Upholding high values of impartial journalism, daijiworld is presenting the other side of the coin.

"We are utterly shocked to see how Sumati Kotian has twisted the issue and used the media to defame us and our family," say the Lewises.

"That we had been beating her is a baseless allegation. On the contray, the fault is all hers. We brought Sumati here through a recruiting agency, bearing all the expenses ourselves. While she was here, she stole our children's ornaments."

"We informed her husband in India about her stealing tendencies over the phone. We had also warned Sumati that she would be deported, but she pleaded with us not to do so, because her husband had been beating her and if she were to go back to India, she would have no means of livelihood."

"On a morning after a couple of days, she was missing from our house. But she kept on calling us and pleading with us not to send her back but we were not prepared to keep her with us, with her past record. Finally in Decemeber last she came to our doorstep. She looked very weak and ill and showed us some signs of abcess and pus on her back, knee and axilla."

"We took pity on her, gave her food and asked her to take bath. We also told her that she had to be treated in the hospital. But she refused saying that once the pus cleared, the wounds would be healed, as she used to have the same problem back in India. After this she stayed with us for a month."

Speaking to daijiworld from Abu Dhabi, the Lewis family clarified that if at all they had any intention of physically harming her, they would not have shown mercy towards her by sending her back at their expense, in spite of her having absconded from the house. We could have easily filed a police complaint and she could have landed behind bars, but we did not want her to get into any trouble."

"Time will reveal the truth and it is truly shocking and disappointing to read the distorted version of the story in the media," they said further.

Earlier, upon her arrival at the Mumbai International Airport, Sumati Kotian has complained about the physical abuse inflicted on her and a customs official helped her to be admitted in the hospital considering her inability even to stand.

"All these days she was worried and kept on saying if she had to go back home her husband would torture her for money. In the meantime we arranged for the cancellation of her visa, bought her a ticket and sent her back," they said in conclusion.

In the earlier report, it was mentioned that the Lewis family was from Dubai, but it has now been clarified that the family lives in Abu Dhabi.

Only an impartial inquiry will bring out the truth and the law should be allowed to take its natural course.

Earlier report:

Sumati Kotian (42) Starved, Scalded Dubai Maid Rescued