Vasundhara Oswal Shares Experience of Wrongful Detention in Uganda
Vasundhara Oswal, daughter of billionaire Pankaj Oswal, was unlawfully detained in Uganda on false charges of kidnapping and murder. Despite violations of her rights and being denied due process, she ultimately secured her release after two weeks in custody. Her experience sheds light on significant human rights concerns and the need for legal reform in Uganda.
Vasundhara Oswal, daughter of Indian billionaire Pankaj Oswal, has provided a detailed account of her unlawful detention in Uganda, where she faced accusations of kidnapping and murder that were later disproven. The 26-year-old was held for five days and arrested for two weeks after being falsely charged with the abduction and killing of Mukesh Menaria, an ex-employee, who was subsequently discovered alive in Tanzania.
Vasundhara recounted severe human rights violations during her detainment, stating that the Ugandan police conducted their search without a warrant. When she requested a search warrant, police informed her that they could act without limitation in Uganda, a stark disregard for legal process, and proceeded to conduct a search.
She described being coerced by officials to go to the Interpol office without her lawyer present, stating, “a male officer picked me up and threw me inside their van.” Under duress, she was forced to make a statement in conditions that did not allow her access to legal counsel—a complete violation of her rights.
Vasundhara was subsequently arrested, ordered to pay a bond of USD 30,000, and surrender her passport; nonetheless, she remained in custody for an additional 72 hours. She noted that it was during this time she was informed of charges related to kidnapping and attempted murder, reiterated by a lower magistrate court without due process.
Following her transfer to Nakasongola prison, a facility for serious offenders, she spent two weeks there. Despite the discovery of Menaria’s survival on October 10, authorities continued to withhold her release. Vasundhara stated, “I think we hired about 20 different lawyers at the time to handle my case, but each of those lawyers was paid off by these business competitors to either not get me my bail application to sign in the prison or did not send a car to come pick me up,” illustrating the systemic obstruction she faced in her legal battle.
With persistence, Vasundhara managed to secure her bail on October 21, despite numerous challenges presented by corrupt practices within the legal framework of her case. Her experience underscores a significant issue related to human rights violations and the miscarriage of justice in Uganda, prompting discourse on the need for legal reforms and protection for individuals in similar predicaments.
Vasundhara Oswal’s account of her wrongful detention in Uganda highlights grave human rights violations and the inadequacies of the legal system. Despite being wrongly accused and facing coercion, she managed to secure her release. Her ordeal is a reminder of the urgent need for legal protections against unjust detainment and the pervasive issues of corruption within judicial processes.
Original Source: news.abplive.com
