RANCHI: A woman from Ranchi is allegedly being held captive and forced to work as a domestic help in Dubai after being taken to the UAE on the promise of employment, according to a police complaint filed by her mother.
Monica, a resident of Chhota Ghaghra in Ranchi, was allegedly taken to the UAE after connecting online with an agent associated with AMD Trend Solutions. Her mother, Ratna Kachhap, alleged that the agent assured her daughter of employment, food and accommodation.
Based on the assurance, Monica transferred Rs 15,000 to Priyanka via PhonePe on April 22. Priyanka later demanded money for an air ticket. After paying the amount, Monica travelled from Delhi and arrived in Sharjah on May 5.
According to the complaint, a driver sent by the agency took possession of Monica’s passport upon her arrival. The next day, she was taken to an office on the 24th floor of a building in Ajman, where Ritesh and Meraj Ansari allegedly pressured her to sign and affix her thumbprint to documents written in Arabic. Her mobile phone was also allegedly confiscated and the WhatsApp conversation with Priyanka deleted.
Monica was subsequently made to speak to someone over a video call and was allegedly told that she had taken a loan of 12,600 dirhams and would be sent to jail if it was not repaid by May 25.
According to the complaint, Monica was later taken to a house on June 22 to care for an elderly person despite not having a work permit. She was brought back to the office the following day due to a language barrier.
She was subsequently sent to work in different households on July 1 and July 16. Her family alleged that she faced mental distress and harassment as she did not know Arabic.
The complaint states that Monica was later taken to the home of Mohammad Meraj Ansari, where she was allegedly made to sweep, mop, wash dishes and clean bathrooms for about a month.
Her family alleged that she was harassed and was unable to return to India on her own. When Monica expressed a desire to return to India citing her mother’s illness, Mohammad Meraj Ansari allegedly verbally abused her.
He also allegedly told her that she would not be allowed to return unless a large sum was deposited into the company’s account. The complaint further alleged that Monica was threatened and told that she would remain stranded in Dubai and would not be given work if she failed to pay the money.
Kachhap has lodged an FIR at the Airport police station against Priyanka, Ritesh, Md Meraj Ansari and the manager of Amed Trend in connection with the alleged trafficking and exploitation.
She has also approached the Ministry of External Affairs seeking its intervention for the safe return of her daughter from the UAE.