A woman resident of Chhattisgarh has safely returned to Bharat on Friday, February 9, after being held in captivity in Oman, where she went searching for a job last year. The woman was received by her husband and local MLA (Member of legislative Assembly) Rikesh Sen.
The victim woman, identified as Deepika Jogi, a resident of Khursipar of Bhilai in Durg district, had gone to Oman after being promised a job overseas by Abdullah, a resident of Hyderabad, in May last year, though she was held in captivity by a Muslim family where she used to work as a housemaid in Muskat, Oman.
According to the reports, the family had also seized Deepika’s passport, Visa, and other documents and was demanding money to facilitate her return to India. However, Deepika somehow managed to contact the Indian embassy in Oman following which she was helped by the Indian officials to come out of captivity and subsequently return to India. Deepika was received at the airport on Friday evening, where she was witnessed in tears after meeting with the local MLA, who was seen advising her not to commit such mistakes again.
ओमान में बंधक रही छत्तीसगढ़ की बेटी दीपिका अब रायपुर पहुंची. भिलाई विधायक रिकेश सेन ने एयरपोर्ट में दीपिका का स्वागत किया. कुछ दिन पहले ही दीपिका ने छत्तीसगढ़ सरकार से मदद की गुहार लगाई थी. नौकरी के नाम पर ओमान गई दीपिका को वहां बंधक बना लिया गया था.#Chhattisgarh #Raipur… pic.twitter.com/WmRfJ1Dhmi
— Vistaar News (@VistaarNews) February 9, 2024
The matter came to light after Deepika’s husband, Mukesh Jogi, informed the local Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) about the captivity of his wife overseas. the victim lady had released a video about her being in captivity in Muskat and sent it to her husband. The matter was further informed to the Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) of the State, Vijay Sharma, leading to intervention from him.
Upon receiving the news of her captivity abroad, the Dy CM remained in constant touch with the officials of the Indian embassy till Deepika was rescued and also facilitated her safe return to Bharat. Sharma also spoke to the victim upon her arrival at the embassy over phone and assured all help in her return to Chhattisgarh. He also assured the victim that strict action will be taken against those who cheated and led her to unlawful detention abroad upon her return to Bharat.
In a video shared by the Chhattisgarh Jansampark department, the Dy CM can be heard asking the victim about her safety. “Didi (Sister), are you safe now? Please come and meet me with the details of who took you there when you returned to Chhattisgarh. If someone has cheated you, then we will definitely look after it, we are facilitating your safe return,” said DY CM Sharma while speaking to the victim on Wednesday, February 7.
उपमुख्यमंत्री श्री विजय शर्मा की पहल पर मस्कट में बंधक महिला मुक्त! ओमान एम्बैसी से संपर्क करके की गई कार्रवाई, उपमुख्यमंत्री श्री शर्मा ने महिला से बातचीत की और उनके आने की व्यवस्था की। #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/z8nouvxNY2
— Jansampark CG (@DPRChhattisgarh) February 7, 2024
It is to be noted that a large number of Indians are employed in West Asian countries, however reports pertaining to their unlawful detention have also been kept coming to the fore, and again, most of the time these victims were subject to exploitation after being cheated by their agents, who initially promised them a lucrative job and salary.
In Deepika’s case, her agent Abdullah reportedly sold her for money after luring her for a lucrative job in Oman; he has also done the same with others, though the matter is still under investigation and more details in the case is still awaited.
