Vasundhara Oswal granted bail but unable to leave Uganda

• Eastern Eye
• 12 November, 2024

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By: Eastern Eye

AFTER weeks of legal proceedings, Vasundhara Oswal, daughter of Indian-Swiss industrialist Pankaj Oswal, has been granted bail by Ugandan courts, though she is unable to leave Uganda as the charges against her have not been dropped.

Oswal, who had been detained, and then jailed, since October 1, 2024, faces allegations of kidnapping with intent to murder Menaria, a former employee of the Oswal family.

However, these claims were conclusively disproved by a signed, notarised affidavit from Menaria, confirming he is alive and was not kidnapped by the Oswals and further accepting dishonesty and breaches of confidentiality on his own part during his employment towards the high-profile family.

Despite being granted bail, Vasundhara has not been allowed to leave Uganda, and her family asserts that her detention constitutes a serious violation of her human rights.

The family claims they received an unconditional release order after 48 hours, but Ugandan authorities transferred her to a lower court on Friday evening, where new inadmissible charges, including kidnapping and murder, were filed to keep her in custody in a dangerous prison facility.

Photographs shared by Vasundhara’s sister Riddhi on social media illustrate the harsh conditions of her detention, including being forced to use unsanitary facilities and bathe with a bucket of cold water.

It was reported that she fell ill multiple times during her detention and was fed only boiled potatoes and beans, despite her vegetarian dietary restrictions. She was also reportedly transported for legal proceedings in the back of an animal truck, left exposed to harsh weather and a dangerous journey for hours.

While some Ugandan authorities did not treat Vasundhara humanely, prison officials were moved by her story and helped her to the best of their ability.

In prison, Vasundhara tried to spread positivity despite her unfortunate circumstances. She was eventually allowed to receive essential items thrice a week and started donating colouring books, food, and clothing to many children, the offspring of convicts imprisoned there, who are being brought up in the prison, and others in need around her.

The family remains deeply concerned, despite the bail order, and continues to appeal for international intervention.

Vasundhara’s mother, Radhika Oswal, expressed the family’s anguish: “We are relieved that Vasundhara has been granted bail, but our fight is far from over. We still have not been able to even meet her as neither she can leave the country nor we are allowed to go to see her. The charges against her are absolutely false, and her detention is an abuse of power by concerned Ugandan authorities. We will not rest until she is allowed to leave the country, and these baseless accusations are dropped.”

Vasundhara’s sister Ridi Oswal added, “Vasundhara has been keeping her head up for the sake of our parents and our family, but I know she is suffering. The corruption coupled with extortion and bureaucracy is making everything extremely hard, and also the lack of awareness in Uganda, of the growing trend in India amongst some domestic staff to exploit and extort their relationships with their high-profile employers by leveling false accusations, in return for a high payout. I hope the world sees how she is being targeted and I hope international authorities will intervene and help us during these troubling times.”

Cherie Blair, QC, welcomed the court’s decision to grant bail, stating: “I am pleased that Vasundhara was released on bail last week (on 22 October 2024). This is a belated but much-needed step in the right direction after a traumatising three weeks for her. It is now past time for this saga to come to an end.

With no good reason, Vasundhara was initially detained without charge, repeatedly moved from jail to jail and held in unsanitary conditions without suitable food, medication, and proper access to her family or lawyer.

Eventually, and in questionable circumstances, Vasundhara was accused of the most serious of crimes without evidence or explanation. These allegations were vehemently denied, and in the last two weeks, the alleged victim has twice sworn under oath that he has been subject to no wrongdoing whatsoever.

In the absence of any evidence whatsoever, the charge against Vasundhara should be dropped immediately. I share the Oswal family’s hope that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will swiftly move to drop this flawed prosecution. Not only should this help restore faith in the integrity of the Rule of Law in Uganda but address concerns about the heavy-handed treatment of a vulnerable young woman by the authorities.

I look forward to seeing the Public Prosecutor doing the right thing and allowing Vasundhara to rebuild her life and continue the good work she has been doing in Uganda, where she has spearheaded PRO Industries’ $150 million investment in a state-of-the-art ENA plant, the largest in East Africa.”

The Oswal family has previously filed an urgent appeal with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), and Pankaj Oswal has also written an open letter to the Ugandan president, demanding justice and transparency.

As the case continues, they are hopeful that international pressure will help secure a fair and just resolution.