Delhi High Court Orders MEA To Ensure Safety Of Woman Allegedly Held Captive By Foreign National In Dubai

The Delhi High Court has directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Consulate General of India in Dubai to take urgent steps to ensure safety of a 25-year-old Indian woman allegedly being held captive and physically abused by a foreign national in Dubai.Justice Sachin Datta directed MEA and the Consulate General of India in Dubai to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of the woman and verify the allegations.The Court was dealing with a plea filed by V. Thirunavukkarasu, father of the woman, seeking a direction on the authorities to take steps to repatriate his daughter from Dubai, UAE. It is his case that his daughter had travelled to Dubai in January 2023 after being offered a one year job as a medical assistant by the foreign national she had met at a Chennai hospital. According to the petition, her passport and visa were seized and her communication with the family sharply declined over time.The father told the Court that in October, a distressed call from his daughter revealed physical abuse and denial of basic necessities.He also made a representation on November 15 to the authorities, seeking that action be taken to rescue his daughter and to make arrangements to bring her back to India. However, he alleged, that the same did not result in any positive outcome.Asking the authorities to file a status report in the matter within two weeks, the Court said:“In the circumstances, given the gravity of the situation, the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and the Consulate General of India in Dubai, UAE are directed to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of the petitioner's daughter and verify the allegations made in the present petition.”Further, Justice Datta ordered that assistance be rendered to the woman for her return to India, if she so desired. The matter will now be heard on December 15. Title: V.THIRUNAVUKKARASU v. UNION OF INDIA & ANRCitation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 1629Click here to read order

Delhi High Court Orders MEA To Ensure Safety Of Woman Allegedly Held Captive By Foreign National In Dubai

Nupur Thapliyal

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