Qatar Airways, India silent on death of housemaid
11:51PM Thu 21 Oct, 2010
The case of Beebi Lumada, the Indian housemaid who died at Muscat International Airport, seems to be a closed issue for both Qatar Airways and the Indian authorities
Muscat: The case of Beebi Lumada, the Indian housemaid who died after being stranded for five days at Muscat International Airport, seems to be a closed issue for both Qatar Airways and the Indian authorities.
After an international outcry regarding treatment of the maid, there were numerous calls for further investigation, including a request by Amnesty International, which led India's External Affairs Minister S M Krishna to order an official probe.
P.M. Meena, Joint Secretary Consular with India's Ministry of External Affairs, was sent to Oman to carry it out. He met with the local sponsor of the housemaid, Khalid Hamad Al Ghailani, and some local officials but the outcome of the investigations, has not yet been made public.
"My visit to Muscat was fruitful," Meena told Gulf News from Delhi.
However, he refused to elaborate on the case. "As far as my investigations into the case are concerned, you will have to get it from our spokesperson after I submit a report," he said.
"As far as we're concerned the case is closed and you must ask the Indian investigators about the probe," Lina Tayar, Senior Manager Corporate Communication of Qatar Airways, told Gulf News, by telephone, from Doha.
The case has become a topic of much discussion among the blogging community in Oman.
The 40-year-old Indian housemaid lost her passport at Doha airport while travelling to Chennai in India from Muscat by Qatar Airways. As a result, the airline flew her back to her destination of origin.
She waited for five days in the airport's uncomfortable transit area. On the fifth evening she reportedly developed a delusional disorder and died while being moved to Ibn Sinha Psychiatric Hospital.
Qatar Airways says the Indian embassy didn't respond to their request to issue an exit pass for Lumada so that she could be sent to Chennai as she was carrying a valid ticket for her Indian destination, Andhra Pradesh.
The Gulf News report was picked by the international media and it became one of the most searched and circulated news stories on the web.
Even Amnesty International has demanded an investigation into the matter and asked that those responsible be punished.
By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief -GUlf News -October 20, 2010
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