Industrialist Pankaj Oswal Claims Daughter Illegally Imprisoned in Uganda
Pankaj Oswal, a Swiss industrialist of Indian origin, has come forward with serious allegations regarding the unlawful imprisonment of his 26-year-old daughter, Vasundhara Oswal, in Uganda. In an open letter to the Ugandan President, Oswal expressed grave concerns over the alleged denial of his daughter's basic human rights, legal representation, and contact with her family.
Detention Without Trial Since October 1
According to Pankaj Oswal, his daughter has been detained without trial since October 1. Vasundhara, who serves as the executive director of PRO Industries, has been accused of false charges that Oswal claims are a result of corporate and political manipulation. The industrialist revealed that the allegations against his daughter were made by a former employee who allegedly stole valuables from the Oswal family and took a $200,000 loan, for which the Oswal family acted as guarantors.
Oswal insists that his daughter is being held without any evidence and claims that she is being used as a pawn in a scheme driven by corporate malfeasance.
An Appeal to the United Nations
In an effort to secure his daughter's release, Pankaj Oswal has filed an urgent appeal with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. The appeal accuses Ugandan authorities of interrogating Vasundhara under degrading conditions, with her being held for over 90 hours without access to her legal team or family.
Despite a court order calling for her unconditional release, Ugandan police have reportedly continued to detain Vasundhara, allegedly filing inadmissible charges to block her release on bail. According to Oswal, the Ugandan police have failed to acknowledge the gravity of the situation and continue to unlawfully detain his daughter.
Health Concerns and Rights Violations
The situation has raised significant concerns about Vasundhara’s mental and physical health. The Oswal family, in a post on Vasundhara’s official Instagram account, detailed the impact of her detention on her well-being. According to the post, Vasundhara was denied access to her phone, causing her to suffer an anxiety attack, which went unacknowledged by the authorities. Furthermore, her inability to stay in touch with her family or receive legal support has only exacerbated her condition.
A Father’s Plea for Justice
Pankaj Oswal has been vocal about the injustices his daughter is facing. In his letter to the Ugandan President, Oswal stressed that Vasundhara’s rights have been blatantly violated and called for her immediate release. He has also urged the international community to intervene and assist in bringing an end to his daughter's unlawful imprisonment.
Oswal’s battle for his daughter’s release has attracted attention from human rights organizations and the media, with many calling for transparency and due process in handling Vasundhara’s case.
