A 20-year-old Indian student was rescued by authorities in the US State of Missouri after he was held captive for months without access to a bathroom, brutally beaten and forced to work at three homes by his cousin and two other men. Prosecutor Joe McCulloch described the incident as “absolutely inhumane and unconscionable” that a person could be treated in such a condition.
Police have arrested three accused, namely Venkatesh R Sattaru, Sravan Varma Penumetcha and Nikhil Verma Penmatsa after they went to a home in St Charles County. The accused were charged with several offences including human trafficking, kidnapping and assault. The identity of the Indian student was not disclosed.
According to the charges, the student was locked in a basement and forced to sleep on an unfinished floor without access to a bathroom for over seven months. The victim was forced to scavenge for scraps from nearby restaurant dumpsters and was viciously beaten by a variety of tools, including an electrical wire, PVC pipe, metal rods, water supply hose and more, as per reports.
McCulloch said that the Indian student is safe and being treated at a hospital for multiple bone fractures, as well as lacerations and injuries throughout his entire body. “It’s absolutely inhumane and unconscionable that one human being could treat another human being like this,” he said on Thursday.
The accused are also alleged to have confined and abused the victim in three different houses owned by Sattaru, the main suspect in the case, in Defiance, Dardenne Prairie and O’Fallon from April this year. Sattaru was identified as the ringleader of the trio and has been charged with human trafficking for the purpose of slavery and contributing to human trafficking through misuse of documentation.
The student had emigrated from India last year in hopes of studying at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. However, he was instead taken to Sattaru’s homes and forced to begin chores, work a full day for his IT company and complete a list of evening tasks. Court documents show the student saying that he slept only three hours of sleep on the concrete floor under constant surveillance by Sattaru.
The victim was severely beaten if he failed to complete his tasks properly and was even forced to strip down, after which he was kicked, stomped and lashed, according to charges. His injuries included previous fractures and breaks that did not heal properly.
“They beat him with their fists, they stomped on him, they beat him with electrical wiring, with PVC pipes. They forced him to sleep in an unfinished basement, they starved him and limited his access to the public and to restrooms,” McCulloch said, commending a citizen for making the rescue possible.
On the fateful day, police arrived at the house, where they were told at first by a man in the home that they couldn’t come inside, but the 20-year-old eventually came running from the basement. He was trembling uncontrollably, heavily scarred and suffering from bruising and swelling all over his body, charges say.
The three suspects are wealthy and have political connections in India, so they are being held at the St Charles County Jail without bond, McCulloch said. None of the three men had attorneys listed in court documents. The incident left neighbours shaken, many of whom said that they had pleasant interactions with the family.
(with inputs from PTI)
ALSO READ | UK: Elderly Indian woman facing deportation to Punjab receives widespread community support
Latest World News
Top News
Odisha CM announces Rs 2 lakh each compensation for four workers rescued from Uttarakhand tunnel
Sam Bahadur Movie Review: Vicky Kaushal brings Sam Manekshaw to life again with same gait, roaring voice, attitude
IND vs AUS 4th T20I Highlights: India seal T20 series against Australia with a 20-run win in Raipur
Related World News
COP28: PM Modi launches web portal of Green Credits Programme in Dubai | WATCH
COP28 World Climate Action Summit: PM Modi hails ‘historic’ approval of ‘Loss and Damage’ Fund
Iraq: 11 people killed in attack by unknown assailants with guns, explosives in Diyala
COP28 World Climate Action Summit: PM Modi proposes to host COP33 in 2028
COP28: PM Modi gathers in Dubai with world leaders for World Climate Action Summit
Latest News
‘BJP has lost the elections, some exit polls…’: Kamal Nath ahead of counting day
BCCI announces India women’s squads for England T20Is, Tests; Ishaque, Shreyanka get maiden call-ups
Sebi slaps fine on India Ratings and Research
Animal box office report: Ranbir Kapoor-starrer creates HISTORY, crosses Rs 50 cr mark on Day 1
© 2009-2023 Independent News Service. All rights reserved.
Government bans YouTube channels: Reasons, their names and other details
How exit polls are conducted and read?
Kurukstetra: What surprising results will come on December 3?
Will BJP Retain MP?
Aaj Ka Rashifal: From Aries to Pisces, know how will be your day from Acharya Indu Prakash
Odisha CM announces Rs 2 lakh each compensation for four workers rescued from Uttarakhand tunnel
Ethics panel report on Mahua Moitra’s expulsion to be tabled in Lok Sabha on Monday
Aaj Ki Baat: Full episode, December 1, 2023
PM Modi meets UAE President on sidelines of COP-28 Summit in Dubai, discusses Israel-Hamas war
OPINION | EXIT POLLS ARE IN, LET US WAIT FOR EXACT RESULTS
Mizoram Assembly election date changed, counting of votes on December 4
‘BJP has lost the elections, some exit polls…’: Kamal Nath ahead of counting day
Rajasthan polls: ‘Bengaluru resort booked for Congress winning candidates,’says BJP’s Kirodi Lal
Congress will get more than 130 seats in Madhya Pradesh, says Digvijaya Singh on Exit Poll results
‘Won’t predict anything on exit polls but…’: Congress leader Deepa Das Munshi on Telangana Assembl
COP28: PM Modi launches web portal of Green Credits Programme in Dubai | WATCH
COP28 World Climate Action Summit: PM Modi hails ‘historic’ approval of ‘Loss and Damage’ Fund
Iraq: 11 people killed in attack by unknown assailants with guns, explosives in Diyala
COP28 World Climate Action Summit: PM Modi proposes to host COP33 in 2028
COP28: PM Modi gathers in Dubai with world leaders for World Climate Action Summit
Sam Bahadur Movie Review: Vicky Kaushal brings Sam Manekshaw to life again with same gait, roaring voice, attitude
Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna’s intimate scenes from Animal goes viral | See pics
Salaar Part 1 Ceasefire trailer: Prabhas, Prithviraj are ‘inseparable’ in Hombale Films’ actioner
Animal Review: Ranbir Kapoor gives his career’s best in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film, but beware
Tabu no longer part of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3? Here’s what we know so far
IND vs AUS 4th T20I Highlights: India seal T20 series against Australia with a 20-run win in Raipur
IND vs AUS: Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma dropped as India make four big changes for 4th T20I
Suryakumar Yadav eyes Indian T20I record; chases Maxwell, Virat Kohli’s massive feat in 4th T20I
Mitchell Marsh breaks silence on feet over World Cup trophy act, says would probably do it again
India vs Australia Live streaming: When and where to watch IND vs AUS 4th T20I on TV, online?
If you are an Android user, these 11 updates by Google will change your experience – Check now
How to check your YouTube Music Recap 2023? All details here
Users face issues as Apple rolls out iOS 17.1.2 update | Deets inside
A quick guide to new rules for SIM cards effective today
Check Google’s response on recent email-sending issues in Gmail
Horoscope Today, December 1: Growth in business for Virgos; know about other zodiac signs
Horoscope Today, November 30: Scorpio to change eating habits; know about other zodiac signs
Horoscope Today, November 29: Financial opportunities for Virgo; know about other zodiac signs
Horoscope Today, November 28: Great progress in work for Taurus; know about other zodiac signs
Horoscope Today, November 27: Auspicious day for Aries; know about other zodiac signs
Diabetes has become an epidemic in India: What can be done to tackle this growing disease burden?
Is coconut oil healthy? 5 reasons it might not be
World AIDS Day 2023: Symptoms, causes and treatment for HIV infection
Oranges: 5 health benefits of eating this winter superfruit
What is the difference between Infertility and Sub-Fertility? Know causes and treatment
Streetwear Fashion: 5 top trends to watch out for this season
Singapore is the world’s most expensive city | Check top 10 list
7 feet and 9 inches: UP woman sets world record for having the longest hair | SEE PIC
5 nutrient-packed fruit and vegetable juices to make you feel energised during morning
Beat the Pollution Blues: Celebrity Beautician’s tips to flawless skin