"brutal" attack.......
India's foreign ministry has complained to the Saudi Arabian authorities following an alleged "brutal" attack on a 58-year-old Indian woman in Riyadh.
Kasturi Munirathinam's right arm was chopped off, allegedly by her employer, when she tried to escape from their house last week, reports say.
Ms Munirathinam was working as a domestic help. She is recovering in hospital.
Her family has alleged that she was being tortured by her Saudi employers.
Saudi authorities have not commented on the incident yet.
'Disturbed'
Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj wrote on Twitter: "This is unacceptable. We have taken this up with Saudi authorities. Our embassy is in touch with the victim."
"Chopping of hand of Indian lady - We are very much disturbed over the brutal manner in which Indian lady has been treated in Saudi Arabia," Ms Swaraj added.
The family of Ms Munirathinam in the southern Indian city of Chennai said that her employers had been "angered" after she complained about the "harassment" she was facing at her employer's home, where she had begun working three months ago.
They are asking the government to secure them compensation from the family, and also help pay Ms Munirathinam's medical expenses.
Serious condition
"Ever since she went to work with this family in July, things were not alright. My mother was not even allowed to speak to us over the phone, she was not given proper food and was forced to work long hours," her son S Kumar told BBC Hindi.
"When she tried to escape the harassment and torture, her right arm was chopped off by the woman employer. Now my sister can't even sit and do simple things on her own, as her spinal cord has also been injured," her sister S Vijayakumari added.
Ms Vijayakumari said her sister had been hospitalised in Riyadh and was "in a serious condition", adding that although they were relieved she was getting proper medical attention, they were unable to afford the expenses.
They have asked the Tamil Nadu state government to help them financially and have also sought the Indian government's help in securing Ms Munirathinam's return to India.
Comments (35)
The Indians working class overseas especially in these parts of Saudi have been reported of bad treatment during their term in duty there BUT this ill treatment is gruesome and beyond all levels of inhumane actions against the other Humans who is there to earn a livelihood and never for such treatment and MUST be Punished and Indian Govt must prevail on the Authority to get JUSTICE for this unfortunate lady and her family.
Will Not Give The Poor Woman Her Arm Back..............
If such violation is being overlooked by the Indian government, shame on them - this should be reported and intervention by them demanded
Did they ever let women drive over there without their man owner?
Funny, the US is all buddy buddy with Saudi Arabia but the US constantly complains about China's human rights problems. Now Obama has twisted China's arm into controlling carbon dioxide. I guess Obama doesn't know about the dangerous air in many of China's cities. What an idot they elected president!
"Just The Facts Maam...Just The Facts"...........
I hope this lady as some kind of peaceful life for herself and I hope some countries speed up the humanity for their country man
Just read your profile. You are a very cold, egotistical man! You don't seem to have feelings for others!
Jim, it I could bottle yours, we could sell it in churches.
Don't even get me started on Diplomatic Immunity!