Chennai: The family of a 55-year-old Indian woman, working as a domestic help in Saudi Arabia, has alleged her right hand was chopped off by her employer when she tried to escape harassment and torture.

Seeking help to bring Kashturi Munirathinam back from Saudi Arabia, her family has sent representations to the state and central governments. DMK MP Kanimozhi has also sent a letter to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj seeking her help.

“When she tried to escape harassment and torture, her right hand was chopped off by the woman employer. She fell down and sustained serious spinal injuries,” S Vijayakumari, sister of Munirathinam said.

She said Munirathinam had gone to Saudi Arabia to work as a domestic help only three months ago.

“Kasturi’s employer was angered after she apprised local officials about the harassment she was facing there, she was not even provided food,” she said.

Asked how the family learnt about the incident, Vijayakumari said it was “through agents who sent her to Saudi.”

The attack occurred on the intervening night of September 29-30, she said.

“She has now been hospitalised in Riyadh and is in a serious condition, our appeal is please bring her back home immediately and help in her treatment,” she said.

While Munirathinam’s sister lives in Chennai, her family is in Moongilarei village of Vellore district in Tamil Nadu.

In her letter to Swaraj, Kanimozhi said Munirathinam’s condition was deteriorating and sought help to bring her back to Tamil Nadu.

“Steps should be taken to bring home Kasturi as soon as possible, I appeal on behalf of the victim’s family,” she wrote.

(Agencies)