Team Herald
PANJIM: The Crime Branch of the Goa Police has arrested two individuals for allegedly trafficking women from Goa to foreign countries under the pretext of offering them employment as housemaids.
The accused have been identified as 35-year-old Sayyed Abdulla Shaikh from Katem, Baina and Mastan Khan, also known as Pathan, from Margao.
According to the police, a written complaint was filed by Arunendra Pandey, the founder of ARZ (Anyay Rahit Zindagi), an NGO.
The complaint alleged that Sayyed Abdulla Shaikh and Mastan Khan deceived a woman by promising her a job as a housemaid in Muscat with an assured salary upon arrival.
However, after arriving in Muscat, the victim was confined to a flat with 11 other Indian women and was deprived of adequate food and proper accommodation.
The victim was subsequently sent to work in a household where she was reportedly asked for sexual favours. Police noted that the accused were not registered as recruiting agents under the Emigration Act 1983.
An offence has been registered under Sections 143, 143(2), and 318(1) read with 3(5) of BNS 2023 and Section 10 of the Emigration Act 1983. Inspector Neend G Deulkar is leading the ongoing investigation.
In the presence of the NGO ARZ, the victim provided a statement detailing how the accused used deception to send her to Muscat. She confirmed that she and 11 other Indian women were kept in the flat under dire conditions, with inadequate food and accommodation.
Meanwhile, the police have announced plans to coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Oman, via the Ministry of Home Affairs, to facilitate the rescue of the other stranded women.
Emigration agents operating without registration are liable to face legal action.
People seeking employment abroad are urged to ensure they only approach registered agencies, not sub-agents.
Furthermore, they must verify their visa type—for instance, individuals on tourist visas cannot undertake employment abroad. It is also crucial to obtain an employment contract before leaving the country.
The Home Department of Goa has issued instructions to inspect all recruitment agencies operating in the state, said SP North