UAE | General
Consular official under probe for detaining woman
A liaison official from the Indian consulate in Dubai is being investigated after it was alleged that he had kept an Indian woman unlawfully in his residence instead of taking her to the shelter house.
- By Sunita Menon, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:31 December 28, 2008
Dubai: A liaison official from the Indian consulate in Dubai is being investigated after it was alleged that he had kept an Indian woman unlawfully in his residence instead of taking her to the shelter house.
The shelter house is run by the welfare wing of the Indian consulate under which stranded and distressed Indian woman take refuge until their case are looked into and process of repatriation is completed.
The location of the shelter house is usually kept a secret to provide a security cover for women who escape from the clutches of unscrupulous agents (predominantly Asians) who force them into prostitution.
The woman, who had filed the complaint is currently living with her family in the South Indian state of Kerala, had also lodged a similar complaint with Non-Resident Indian Cell in the state.
She had come to the UAE after paying Rs50,000 (Dh3,811) to work in a textile shop, but instead she found herself forced into prostitution. She managed to escape and make it to the consulate to seek refuge.
The consulate as well as Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) on Sunday confirmed receipt of the woman's complaint and the subsequent investigation.
The woman has alleged that the liaison official had taken her to his house where she had worked for more than 20 days.
Gulf News learnt that the official who was recruited locally and was working with the labour section of the consulate has moved from the department pending completion of investigations.
The NRI Cell was set up to look into complaints from Gulf returnees.
Crime: Case is confirmed
Venu Rajamony, the Indian consul general confirmed that they were investigating an official on the basis of unlawfully holding an Indian woman instead of taking her to the centre.
He said: "It is true that we have received a complaint and an official investigation has been launched as a result of which it is not possible to provide more details at this stage."
He denied that allegations of sexual abuse had been levelled.
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