A woman from Jalandhar, Punjab, who was recently rescued from Oman after being trafficked under the guise of a job, has come forward with a harrowing account of her exploitation. She revealed she was sold for 1,200 Omani riyals and that approximately 70 other Indian women remain trapped in similar conditions in the Arab nation.
The False Promise and a Family Betrayal
In a shocking disclosure, the victim stated that she was sent to Oman in September 2025 with the assurance of legitimate employment. The betrayal was profound, as she discovered upon arrival that her own aunt had orchestrated the trap before returning to India. The woman was not given a job but was instead sold for 1,200 Omani riyals to her captors.
Her subsequent four months in Oman were described as the most terrifying period of her life. She faced relentless pressure to participate in immoral activities and was subjected to physical beatings and abuse whenever she refused to comply. Her pleas to return home were met with a cruel ultimatum: she could only leave if she paid a ransom of Rs 2 lakh or arranged for two other girls from India to replace her.
Escape and Discovery of a Larger Racket
After nearly two months of working as a domestic helper, the woman managed to escape her immediate captors. It was during this time she reached a location where she encountered a group of nearly 70 other Indian women, all seemingly trapped in analogous situations of exploitation and coercion.
She detailed a common modus operandi where young women, primarily from Punjab, are lured with promises of domestic work in Muscat. Once there, they are subjected to severe physical and mental exploitation. Resistance leads to punishments including denial of food, physical assault, and constant threats.
Rescue and a Stern Warning
The victim's safe return to India on December 30, 2025, was facilitated by the urgent intervention of Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Her family approached the MP on December 16, prompting immediate action that secured the repatriation of her and four other women from Punjab.
Speaking to the media, MP Seechewal confirmed the gravity of the situation, calling the exploitation of Indian women in Arab countries a "serious and alarming issue." He disclosed that he had written to the MEA about the approximately 70 trapped women, leading to the swift rescue of the five. He commended the MEA and Indian Embassy for their prompt response but stressed the need for strict action against human trafficking networks to prevent such crimes.
The rescued woman has issued a dire appeal to young women and their families across India, urging extreme caution regarding overseas job offers. She explicitly warned that, based on her traumatic experience, Oman is currently not a safe destination for young women seeking employment.
