Accusations of trumped-up charges
Vasundhara, who is the executive director of PRO Industries, has reportedly been deprived of basic rights, including access to her family and legal advice. According to Pankaj Oswal, the charges against her stem from allegations made by a former employee. This person allegedly stole valuables from the Oswal family and took out a $200,000 loan, guaranteed by the Oswals. When the family refused to repay the loan, they were reportedly faced with false charges to avoid financial liability.
Oswal claimed that even after the former employee was arrested in Tanzania, his daughter was falsely accused of crimes including kidnapping and attempted murder.
Conditions of detention
Oswal’s appeal to the UN describes the harsh conditions under which his daughter is being held. He described Vasundhara being interrogated in humiliating conditions, held for more than 90 hours without access to legal representation or family, and transferred between different prisons to prevent contact with loved ones.
Although a court ordered her unconditional release, Oswal claimed that Ugandan authorities added impermissible charges to block her release on bail.
Family request for help
Vasundhara’s mother, Radhika Oswal, expressed her grief and described the situation as “every mother’s nightmare.” She called for her daughter’s immediate release, pointing out violations of Vasundhara’s basic human rights. Pankaj Oswal has also written an open letter to the President of Uganda, urging his intervention. In addition, he has sought the assistance of human rights lawyer Cherie Blair CBE, KC, whose office stated that Vasundhara’s treatment violates both domestic and international laws.
Business impact
The Oswal family, who planned to invest $150 million in a new alcohol production plant in Uganda, have put their business plans on hold pending a resolution to Vasundhara’s situation.
