Model harassed after being taken on foreign assignment

Kolkata: A city-based model who was hired and flown to Thailand by an organisation for shooting a promotional event, has brought charges of harassment and unlawful detention against the organisation.

The girl managed to return to the city following the intervention of the External Affairs Ministry. On her arrival, she lodged a complaint at Beniapukur police station.

She alleged that she was taken to Phuket in Thailand by a promotional organisation based in Mumbai for shooting an endorsement. She was given an accommodation in a resort. In the name of shooting, she was abused in the resort and when she protested, she was subjected to physical and mental torture. When she expressed her desire to return home, she was asked to pay a ransom of Rs 2 lakh. She then contacted her family members who in turn took up the matter with the Prime Minister's Office.

The matter was taken up with the Indian High Commissioner's office in Thailand and the local administration rescued her. She arrived in the city on Friday night. She went to Beniapukur police station and lodged a complaint mentioning the names of three agents who were instrumental in taking her abroad. A detailed probe has begun. Her family members thanked the External Affairs Ministry for its timely intervention without which she could have faced difficulties in freeing herself from the agents.