An Indian chef allegedly kidnapped in Uganda has been found in Tanzania, near the Mutukula border, amid claims of blackmail and extortion. In the kidnapping scandal first exposed by NTV Uganda, Kumesh Menaria’s family confirmed his whereabouts to local media sharing recent photos.
The latest development followed an open letter from his employer, Pankaj Oswal, the family at the center of the kidnapping scandal, to President Yoweri Museveni, alleging extortion attempts.
Mr. Oswal alleged that blackmailers demanded ransom, leading to the arrest of his daughter, Basundhara Oswal, and their lawyer, Rita Ngabire. The two were remanded in prison on Friday, October 11, on charges of kidnap with intent to kill.
Tanzanian authorities are holding Menaria at Shaka police station, about 20 kilometres from the Ugandan border. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance and reappearance remain unclear.
Prior to his Uganda relocation, Menaria reported mistreatment and lack of personal freedom to Swiss authorities. Communication with his family ceased upon arrival in Uganda, prompting a search.
Investigations traced Menaria’s disappearance to an Oswal-owned factory, but he had been moved by the time authorities gained access.
A vehicle linked to the kidnapping was found at the Uganda-Tanzania border.
Oswal accused Menaria of theft regarding missing jewelry, potentially complicating Menaria’s legal standing in Tanzania.
The case raises complex international legal and human rights concerns, highlighting personal liberties and the treatment of employees by powerful employers.
Menaria’s reported mistreatment and kidnapping underscore potential abuses within employer-employee dynamics, especially for individuals outside their home countries.
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