Vasundhara Oswal experienced wrongful detention in Uganda, falsely accused of kidnapping and murder. Her human rights were grossly violated as officials disregarded legal protocols and coerced her without counsel. Even after evidence emerged proving the allegations false, she was detained longer due to corruption. Ultimately, she secured bail after significant challenges, underscoring systemic issues within the Ugandan judicial system.
Vasundhara Oswal, daughter of billionaire Pankaj Oswal, endured a harrowing experience after being illegally detained in Uganda for alleged kidnapping and murder, charges that were eventually proven false. The 26-year-old recounts her experiences of human rights violations throughout her confinement in an African nation.
Falsely accused of kidnapping Mukesh Menaria, a former employee of her father’s, Ms. Oswal faced a stifling interrogation without legal representation. She criticized law enforcement’s lack of professionalism, revealing their refusal to present a search warrant during her arrest, with officials asserting, “we can do anything, you’re not in Europe anymore,” thereby dismissing her rights.
Under duress, she was compelled to make a statement at the Interpol office without legal counsel. According to Ms. Oswal, “a male officer picked me up and threw me inside their van” when she resisted. She was subsequently arrested, required to pay a USD 30,000 bond, yet still detained for an additional 72 hours.
Charged with attempted murder alongside kidnapping, she was transported to Nakasongola prison, notorious for housing severe offenders. Despite discovering that Menaria was alive on October 10, authorities failed to release her. In her struggle to secure legal representation, Ms. Oswal alleged that multiple lawyers were bribed to sabotage her bail process, stating, “they did everything possible to ensure that I did not get bail.”
With perseverance, she eventually secured bail on October 21 after considerable legal challenges. Her experience highlights significant flaws in the Ugandan judicial process and the need for reform to protect individuals’ rights against corruption.
Vasundhara Oswal’s ordeal serves as a powerful testament to the vulnerabilities individuals face within flawed legal systems. Her account reveals serious human rights breaches, highlighting the challenges in seeking justice in a system rife with corruption. Despite her release, the implications of her experience call for greater accountability and reform within law enforcement in Uganda.
Original Source: news.abplive.com
