Hyderabad: Rescued Uzbek woman ends life in shelter home
She wanted to return home; custodial death case filed.
Hyderabad: A 26-year-old female Uzbek national who was rescued from the flesh trade and lodged at Prajwala Home in Rangareddy district for rehabilitation, allegedly committed suicide in the home on Friday evening. The victim who was earlier working as a fashion designer hanged herself from the ceiling of her room, while other inmates in the room were away, said the police. A case of custodial death has been registered. Prajwala Home is run by social activist and Padma Shri awardee Ms. Sunitha Krishnan.
The victim who came to India on a visit visa was residing in Delhi and working as a fashion designer, when she was lured into the flesh trade and trafficked to Hyderabad. She was rescued in November 2017 by Rachakonda Police at Saroornagar and along with the arrested persons, was produced before the Rangareddy court at LB Nagar.
The court ordered the victim to be shifted to Prajwala Home at Amangal for rehabilitation. At the home, she was put up in a room on the first floor along with three other women.
On Friday, two women from her room were taken to hospital for dental issues, while the third woman went on some work to the ground floor, leaving the victim alone. When she returned to the room after some time, the victim was found hanging from the ceiling and the door to the room was open.
The home authorities shifted her to a nearby hospital, where she was declared brought dead. Based on a complaint from the home supervisor Sujatha, a case under section 176 CrPC- Custodial death was registered.
Amangal inspector Venkateshwarlu said that the reasons behind the suicide are not known. "The panchanama was conducted in the presence of Amangal Tehsildar. Further investigations are underway. Based on the evidences, the investigation will proceed", said the inspector.
Inquiries revealed that the woman had been telling the staff of Prajwala Home about going back to her country, but was counselled and told about the procedures and complications involved.
“However, she did not change her mind and kept insisting with the staff. Depressed at not being able to return, she could have taken the extreme step,” Mr Venkateshwarlu said.