The troubles for Kasturi Munirathinam, 50, a domestic help from Tamil Nadu whose arm was allegedly chopped off by her Saudi employer in Riyadh, seem unending as her return to India is said to be hinged on the withdrawal of assault charges.
Kasturi can leave Saudi Arabia only if she is given an exit visa by her employer, according to the country's law.
However, the Indian's Saudi employer has reportedly demanded that India drop the charge of assault against him if Kasturi is to return, according to Hindustan Times.
Kasturi's family has accused the Saudi employer of chopping off her hand when she tried to complain about torture and low wages.
However, the Riyadh Police recently claimed that the Indian woman's arm was severed after she fell on an electricity generator while trying to flee from her sponsor's house. They even went on to say she was 'mentally usntable'.
The issue had led to outrage in India, with Indian foreign affairs minister Sushma Swaraj calling the incident 'unacceptable'.
Even Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had sought the Modi governemnt's intervention to bring justice to Kasturi.
However, with the Saudi Police contradicting India's version and with the new demand by the Indian woman's employer, it is not clear when she will be able to return to the country.
"We are seized of the situation and are in talks to resolve it," an Indian official told HT.
