Indian Billionaire’s Daughter Vasundhara Oswal Faces Ordeal in Ugandan Jail

Vasundhara Oswal, daughter of Indian-origin billionaire Pankaj Oswal, was unexpectedly imprisoned in Uganda over serious allegations. The 26-year-old was accused of kidnapping and murdering Mukesh Menaria, a former employee of her father’s company. She was arrested on October 1 last year and remained in judicial custody for three weeks. However, the case collapsed after Menaria, presumed dead, resurfaced alive in Tanzania a few days later.

Speaking about her ordeal, Vasundhara Oswal claimed she was wrongfully detained and subjected to human rights violations. "I experienced hell in prison. I was initially held for five days before being formally arrested and had to endure two weeks in jail. I was denied access to basic necessities like bathing, food, and water. My parents had to bribe police officers to meet my basic needs. At one point, I was not even allowed to use the restroom. When I asked why, they told me, ‘This is your punishment,’" she alleged.

She further recounted that her residence was raided without a warrant, and when she questioned the authorities, they reportedly responded, "This is Uganda. We can do anything we want. This is not Europe." She accused a male police officer of manhandling her and forcefully pushing her into a police van.

Vasundhara Oswal stated that she was forced to pay ₹26 lakh under police bond, and her passport was confiscated. She claimed that Ugandan authorities coerced her into making a statement without legal counsel. Even after securing bail, she was allegedly detained unlawfully for 72 more hours.

Despite the revelation that Mukesh Menaria was alive, she alleged that Ugandan police were reluctant to drop the case. "They attempted to alter the charges, accusing me of kidnapping and attempted murder instead. Initially, I was held in a regular jail, but later, I was transferred to the notorious Nakasoŋgola prison, where convicts of serious crimes, including human traffickers, are housed. I lived in constant fear for two weeks," she said.

Following legal battles, Vasundhara Oswal was granted bail on October 21. However, she claimed her passport was only returned on December 10, and the charges against her were officially dropped on December 19. "Ugandan police pressured me for money. Even after confirming that Menaria was alive, they engaged in corruption," she alleged.

She announced her intention to escalate the matter to the Ugandan government, expressing dismay over how she was treated despite her family’s long-standing investments in the country.