Swiss-Indian Billionaire Pankaj Oswal Appeals to UN as Daughter Detained in Uganda

Pankaj Oswal, a Swiss industrialist, has raised concerns with the United Nations regarding the unlawful detention of his daughter, Vasundhara, in Uganda by armed men. Detained on October 1, she reported inhumane treatment, including lack of food, cleanliness, and contact with family or legal counsel. Amidst accusations of corporate jealousy and a court order for her release, her mother appeals for her safety, highlighting serious allegations of human rights violations.

In a distressing situation, Pankaj Oswal, a Swiss industrialist, has escalated his concerns to the United Nations regarding the alleged unlawful detention of his daughter, Vasundhara Oswal, in Uganda. The 26-year-old was reportedly abducted on October 1, 2023, by approximately twenty armed men at the site of her extra-neutral alcohol (ENA) plant, where they failed to present any form of identification or legal warrant. The detention purportedly relates to an investigation involving a missing individual. An urgent plea was lodged with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in response to Vasundhara’s predicament. Subsequent posts on her Instagram account highlighted the severe conditions of her confinement; one post depicted a restroom covered in blood and feces, and described her being forced to endure over 90 hours in a cramped room filled with shoes, deprived of the ability to bathe or change clothing for nearly five days. Basic necessities such as clean water and nutritious food were reportedly denied, and she was confined to a small bench for sleep, also being compelled to partake in a suspect parade. Additionally, it was reported that Vasundhara was not provided vegetarian meals, and she was barred from communicating with family members and legal counsel, raising significant concerns regarding her treatment and human rights violations. Vasundhara’s brother has criticized an unnamed 68-year-old individual whom he alleges is responsible for the corporate jealousy that prompted her detention, claiming that this person is attempting to extort funds from the Oswal family and tarnish Vasundhara’s reputation. Despite a court order for her release, authorities allegedly transported her to a different court where she was charged with murder. Vasundhara’s mother, Radhika Oswal, has urgently appealed to the Ugandan government, expressing distress over her daughter’s situation: “My young daughter has been thrown into a foreign jail. She has been stripped of her basic human rights and her dignity. Vasundhara is an innocent bystander. All I want is her safety.”

Pankaj Oswal is a prominent Swiss industrialist, known for establishing significant investments, including a $110 million extra-neutral alcohol (ENA) plant in Uganda. The recent detainment of his daughter, Vasundhara, raises alarming questions about the treatment of business executives and their families abroad, as well as the implications of such governmental actions on international investigations into human rights abuses. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention serves to monitor and critique police abuses globally, highlighting the necessity for due process and humane treatment, especially concerning foreign nationals. This case has garnered attention as it touches upon human rights, corporate integrity, and diplomatic relations, with strong concerns about the motivations behind the reported unlawful detainment. Issues of personal safety, judicial process, and alleged corporate rivalry are also critical factors in this ongoing situation.

The case surrounding Vasundhara Oswal’s detention in Uganda brings to light serious allegations of human rights violations and abuse of authority. Pankaj Oswal’s appeal to the United Nations underscores the necessity for international oversight when individuals face potential miscarriages of justice in foreign jurisdictions. The narrative not only highlights the importance of legal protections for expatriates but also raises pertinent questions about corporate dynamics and personal safety in international business contexts. As the situation develops, the global community will keenly observe the response from Ugandan authorities and the actions taken by international human rights entities.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com