23-Year-Old Promised A Job, Sold As A Slave To A Saudi Citizen

23-year-old Jayanta Biswas never imagined that getting a job would become the greatest plight of his life.

The resident of Naihati, West Bengal flew to Riyadh on May 15, a day that changed his life for the worse. Jayanta found out that he had been duped by his agents who promised him a job at an automobile service center but had sold him as a slave to a Saudi national.

Finding out about his plight, Jayanta’s distressed family sought the help of External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. But several days have gone by without any response from the ministry’s side.

Jayanta was sold to a Saudi master, or Kafeel and made to cut grass and feed the master’s ostriches. He stayed in an impoverished condition and didn’t get any money either.

His master, Naief Bookme, also sexually abused him. With no other choice, Jayanta decided to flee his master’s house. On July 16, he made a bid to escape, but it was in vain. In the morning, he was drugged and beaten brutally by his master.

One day, he could finally go to the Indian embassy and sought help for his ordeal. After recording Jayanta’s statement, the Indian Embassy opened a file in his name and sent him to an NGO in the Saudi capital city.

Meanwhile, his master lodged a complaint with the police stating that Jayanta stole 10,000 Riyal. As a result of which Jayanta was arrested on August 9, from where he got in touch with his family.

His cousin told the Hindustan Times, “My brother had approached Muneer Ahmed of Al-Hamd Manpower Consultant Services in Delhi. He took Rs 1 lakh from my brother and introduced him to H M Sadique, owner of Mumbai-based Hafiz Manpower Consultants. He then sent him to Tabrez Alam of Alvi Manpower Services at Nagpada Junction of Mumbai.”

Jayanta and his family were told that he would get a work visa after staying in Mumbai for three months and would also find a job at an automobile service center, but it was only when he was imprisoned that his family came to know about his situation. Jayanta’s cousin sought Alam’s help to secure his release, who then demanded Rs 35,000 for the process. Finally, Jayanta was released on October 27.

Though he is now out of jail, there has still not been any progress with regards to his return.

The Logical Indian urges the Ministry of External Affairs to offer help to Jayanta and his family members who are in deep distress.