Why Was Vasundhara Oswal, Daughter of Pankaj Oswal, Arrested in Uganda?

 

Vasundhara Oswal, the 26-year-old daughter of Indian-origin industrialist Pankaj Oswal, was arrested in Uganda on October 1, 2024, under troubling circumstances. The situation started when she was detained without proper legal procedures, such as showing a warrant or informing her of the charges. She has been accused of being involved in a kidnapping case concerning a chef named Mukesh Kumar Menaria, who had worked for the Oswal family for seven years. The chef's family filed a complaint with Interpol, alleging his abduction, which led to Vasundhara's arrest along with a company lawyer from PRO Industries, the family’s business in Uganda.

Pankaj Oswal, a prominent industrialist, has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them baseless and accusing Ugandan authorities of illegally detaining his daughter. He claims that Vasundhara has been subjected to poor prison conditions, denied her basic human rights, and has been moved between facilities to make it difficult for her family and legal team to maintain contact with her. She has also reportedly faced a lack of vegetarian food suitable for her religious dietary requirements and has been unable to communicate with her family for extended periods.

The Oswal family believes that the charges against Vasundhara may be part of a campaign against them, allegedly instigated by a former employee with whom the family had a dispute. Pankaj Oswal further alleges that this individual had misappropriated company funds and falsely accused his daughter as retaliation.

The family has filed an appeal with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, seeking Vasundhara's immediate release and highlighting the harsh conditions she has faced in custody. Her mother, Radhika Oswal, has also spoken out, calling the situation a nightmare and stressing that her daughter is innocent.

This case has gained international attention, with questions being raised about the Ugandan justice system and its treatment of foreign nationals. The Oswals, through their company, PRO Industries, had recently invested heavily in Uganda to establish the region's first grain-based extra-neutral alcohol (ENA) production facility. This ongoing legal battle has cast a shadow over the company's operations and the family's relationship with Ugandan authorities.

The case continues to develop as legal teams work to secure Vasundhara's release and challenge the charges against her.