An Indian housemaid was allegedly beaten up by her Bahraini sponsor, and a hospital there had to intervene to prevent the injured woman, who was vomiting blood, from being forcibly discharged.
Lateefa Beewi Maheen, 30, hailing from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, was said to be in a critical but stable condition at Bahrain's Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC).
The Indian housemaid said her Bahraini sponsor abused her repeatedly since she arrived there two months back.
"If I tried to take some rest, I was beaten and pushed. In some cases, my head was also hit against the wall," she said .
Maheen's sponsor is said to have panicked and sent her with a driver to the hospital.
The Indian housemaid claimed an "Arab man" visited her in the hospital and threatened to "hang" her if she accused her sponsor of any wrongdoing.
Doctors said Maheen suffered severe internal injuries, which caused her to vomit blood several times a day. They also said she is suffering from pain in the abdomen and wrists.
Maheen said she came to Bahrain to boost her family's income because her young son needed expensive medical treatment. According to her, she paid 166 Bahraini Dinar (BD) to an agent to come and work in Bahrain.
{{/usCountry}}Maheen said she came to Bahrain to boost her family's income because her young son needed expensive medical treatment. According to her, she paid 166 Bahraini Dinar (BD) to an agent to come and work in Bahrain.
{{/usCountry}}"I was promised a salary of BD 40 a month and a few days ago I was paid two months' wages," Maheen added.
Surya charitable and cultural association volunteer K.R. Nair visited Maheen at the hospital and promised to provide assistance.
Indian Embassy officials in Bahrain are aware of the case and are co-coordinating with Bahraini authorities. A formal complaint is to be lodged with the police.
"This is a matter of great concern," said Indian Ambassador to Bahrain, Balkrishna Shetty. "We will take immediate action and ensure all possible help is given to the housemaid," the ambassador said.