Vasundhara Oswal, the daughter of billionaire Pankaj Oswal, has shared a troubling account of her time in a Ugandan prison. Last year, she was wrongfully accused of kidnapping and murdering Mukesh Menaria, a former employee of her father. To everyone’s surprise, Menaria was later discovered alive in Tanzania.
Vasundhara, 26, described her experience as a violation of human rights. She was arrested on October 1, 2024, and spent over three weeks in custody, which she claims included five days of detention followed by two weeks in prison. “They didn’t let me shower or eat, and my parents had to bribe officers just to bring me food and basic necessities,” she explained.
During her ordeal, Vasundhara alleged that police searched her home without a warrant. “When I asked for one, they just said, ‘We’re in Uganda; we can do anything,'” she recalled. She argued that she was coerced into making statements without a criminal lawyer present, despite having a civil lawyer on hand.
Once Vasundhara provided a statement, she was asked to pay $30,000 and present her passport to secure a police bond. However, she claimed that even after completing these requirements, she was not released but instead returned to her cell.
Despite facing serious charges, including kidnapping and attempted murder, Vasundhara spent time in a facility that housed inmates accused of lesser crimes. After the police found Menaria alive on October 10, they still kept her in prison under the same charges for some time. It wasn’t until October 21 that she was granted bail, with her passport returned on December 10.
Despite Menaria’s return, charges remained for a period, leading Vasundhara to believe police were trying to extort money from her family due to their mishandling of the case. “This whole situation seems like an attempt to keep something hanging over us,” she said. “It has been very frustrating and unfair.”
On December 19, 2024, the case against Vasundhara was dismissed. She is now exploring legal options to address the injustice she faced during her time in prison. “I hope the Ugandan government can correct its mistakes,” she said, emphasizing her desire for accountability.
Vasundhara’s experience raises critical questions about human rights and the treatment of individuals within the legal system, especially for those far from home.
Source link
vasundhara oswal,Uganda,Pankaj Oswal
