More than a month after her right arm was brutally chopped off by her Saudi employer, Kasturi, a 58-year-old domestic help arrived in Chennai airport on Saturday.
She landed in Chennai at noon and was immediately taken to Rajeev Gandhi hospital in an ambulance. She was not allowed to meet her relatives due to her health conditions. Her family protested infront of the ambulance but was removed by the CISF personnels.
Tired of the torture being meted out to her, Kasturi Munirathinam who hails from Vellore had been trying to jump off the balcony by clinging to a saree, when the Saudi woman chopped off her arm.
The incident that happened on September 29, came to light when Kasturi's video appeal speaking about her ordeal and pleading indian authorities to take her back was circulated by her family.
Talking about the problems faced by Kasturi, Vanaja, one of Kasturi's daughter said, "She was not even allowed to talk to the family. She used to speak once or twice in a month and told the family that a woman was beating her. She was not even being paid salary properly.
"The media was quick to pick it up, and the issue quickly snowballed into a political and diplomatic controversy.
Kasturi’s sister, Vijayakumari who was at the Chennai airport spoke to The News Minute and said the family was thankful was was back alive. "We thank the chief Minister for the help. We hope the government will get us justice and also pay her compensation," she said.
Few weeks ago, Vijayakumari had told TNM that Kasturi's agent had claimed that it was an accident initially. She said that the Indian embassy was quick to react and assured of help. Kasturi and her employer had differences over working conditions and she had also not been paid her salary since she joined. After Kasturi complained to the authorities in Saudi about the treatment meted out to her, her employer decided to assault her
Saudi authorities lodged a case against Kasturi’s employer only after diplomatic intervention by the Indian embassy in Riyadh.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa wrote to the Prime Minister on October 24 and said, "I reflect the concern of the family and the people of Tamil Nadu as there is an apprehension that there could be an attempt to protect her local employers and deprive the poor domestic worker of even her basic human rights.
Pressure exerted by Tamil Nadu government, political parties, media and India's diplomatic intervention has finally enabled Kasturi to come back to Tamil Nadu.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa also announced a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh for Kasturi. She is currently admitted at the Rajeev Gandhi government hospital. A six member team of doctors examined her condition.