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'Unacceptable', Says Sushma Swaraj After Saudi Employer Chops Off Indian Woman's Hand

'Unacceptable', Says Sushma Swaraj After Saudi Employer Chops Off Indian Woman's Hand

Slamming the brutal treatment of an Indian in Saudi Arabia, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the mutilation of the woman who worked as a domestic help was "unacceptable" and India has taken this up with Saudi Authorities.

In a series of tweets, Swaraj condemned the incident:

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

Earlier, news of a Saudi sponsor chopping off an Indian maid's hand had evoked strong protests from India; demanding that a case of attempted murder should be lodged against the culprit.

The victim is one Kashturi Munirathinam, a 55-year-old woman, who works as a domestic help in Saudi Arabia. Her family has alleged that her right hand was chopped off by her employer when she tried to escape harassment and torture.

Kashturi's sister, Vijayakumari told The Indian Express, “This is the first time she has gone abroad for work. She was promised a salary of Rs 15,000... She was forced to take up the job abroad as the family was facing financial problems after the marriage of her daughters."

She also added that Kashturi is a mother of three daughters and one son, and that both her husband and son are farm workers.

"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 said.

(With inputs from PTI)

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.