Indian woman employee in Saudi died of "natural reasons: MEA

An Indian woman working in Saudi Arabia, who was allegedly tortured by her employer leading to her death, had died due to "natural reasons", External Affairs Ministry said on Monday. 

Her family had claimed she lost her life because of torture by her Saudi employer.

Reacting to reports about the death of Asima Khatoon in Riyadh, reportedly due to torture by her sponsor last week, MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said," On receipt of information, our embassy in Riyadh sent one of its officials to King Saud Chest Disease Hospital, Riyadh, one of the reputed Hospitals for TB, on Monday.

"He was told by the Mortuary In-charge that she was admitted in the Hospital on 27 of last month and later on shifted to the ICU. The death was due to natural reasons and he was informed that all the requisite documents have been handed over to the sponsor for submission to the Embassy."

However, Hyderabad police received a complaint from the deceased woman's mother Ghousia Khtoon alleging that her daughter, who left for Saudi Arabia last December, was tortured by her master, which subsequently led to her death.

"Khtoon alleged that she received a call on May 2 from Saudi Arabia saying her daughter had some chest complaint and was admitted to a hospital and died the same day," police inspector G Ramesh told PTI in Hyderabad.

Swarup also noted that the sponsor had visited the embassy on May 3 (by when the matter had not been reported in the media) and again today, for completing the documentation in order to transport her mortal remains to India. 

"As per the death report, she died on May 2 due to 'disseminated TB and multi-organ failure'. Further, according to the report, she received anti-TB drugs in 2012 for 3 months," the Spokesperson said, adding the embassy was in touch with the family of the deceased in India to determine future course of action.

According to the sponsor, Asima Khatoon worked for him for 4 months and 16 days in return for which he has deposited five months’ salary with the Embassy, he added.