Devyani Khobragade's house help Sangeeta Richard opens upTop Stories

January 10, 2014 12:45
Devyani Khobragade's house help Sangeeta Richard opens up},{Devyani Khobragade's house help Sangeeta Richard opens up

(Image source from: Devyani Khobragade's house help Sangeeta Richard opens up})

If one woman's misery is another woman's joy, then today's indictment of Indian diplomat truly calls for celebration for the hapless homekeeper, Sangeeta Richard.

For the first time ever, Sangeeta Richard - the domestic helper at the epicenter of Devyani Khobragade scandal spoke up after the Indian diplomat was indicted on two criminal charges.

I would like to tell other domestic workers who are suffering as I did - you have rights and do not let anyone exploit you,' she said.

Khobragade was booked by Manhattan's federal grand jury of visa fraud and for issuing false statements in a case that set off massive mayhem in both the States and in India.

The diplomat, however, has been granted diplomatic immunity and left the country today.

In a blazing statement, Richard revealed how her own longing to return home was denied. She also revealed about the hopes with which she first arrived in the U.S.

‘When I decided to come to the United States my hope was to work for a few years to support my family and then return to India,' said Richard.

‘I never thought that things would get so bad here, that I would work so much that I did not have time to sleep or eat or have time to myself.

‘Because of this treatment, I requested that I return to India but that request was denied.’

She went on: ‘I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who has supported me through this process.’

Richard was supported by Safe Horizon — a victim support agency that promotes justice for victims of crime and abuse in many forms including human trafficking.

Avaloy Lanning, Senior Director of the Anti-Trafficking Program at Safe Horizon lauded the quick action taken by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York.

Richard, too, was overwhelmed with joy, and praised U.S. government steep measures to deal with labor exploitation.

She said: ‘I hope this case sends a clear message to diplomats and consular officials that the U.S. will not tolerate the exploitation of workers and marks the beginning of an increase in prosecution of these cases.’

Image Source: Daily Mail

AW: Suchorita Choudhury

If you enjoyed this Post, Sign up for Newsletter

(And get daily dose of political, entertainment news straight to your inbox)

Rate This Article
(0 votes)