Delhi High Court Orders Protection of Indian Nurse Allegedly Held Captive in Dubai: Legal Intervention for Repatriation

The Delhi High Court has issued directives to the Centre and the Consulate General of India in Dubai to immediately implement measures ensuring the safety and welfare of a 25-year-old Indian nurse allegedly being held against her will in Dubai by a foreign national.

Justice Sachin Datta additionally instructed the authorities to facilitate the woman's return to India should she express such a desire.

"Considering the severity of the situation, the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and the Consulate General of India in Dubai, UAE are directed to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of the petitioner's daughter and verify the allegations made in the present petition," stated Justice Datta in the order issued on November 26.

The court has requested the authorities to submit a status report within a two-week timeframe and scheduled the next hearing for December 15.

This case involves a petition filed by V Thirunavukkarasu seeking direction for the Ministry of External Affairs to address his representation and take necessary actions to repatriate his daughter, an Indian citizen, from the UAE where she is allegedly being held captive.

According to the petitioner, his daughter met the foreign national while working as a nurse at a Chennai hospital where the individual was receiving treatment.

He stated that the foreign national had offered his daughter employment as a medical assistant in Dubai for one year.

Believing the offer and attracted by the salary, she traveled to Dubai in January 2023.

The petition reveals that communication with the woman gradually decreased over time, and even after two years, the man has prevented her from returning to India.

It is alleged that the foreign national unlawfully confiscated her passport and visa to obstruct her return to India.

In October, the petitioner reportedly received a distressing call from his daughter revealing that she was experiencing physical abuse and being denied basic necessities. The petitioner presented the court with certain photographs sent by his daughter documenting the physical abuse.

The father stated that he submitted a representation to the Consulate General of India in Dubai in November requesting assistance in rescuing his daughter; however, due to lack of positive response, he approached the court for intervention.