In a shocking turn of events, the Oswal family, a billionaire business dynasty with global interests, has shared an emotional audio recording of their daughter, Vasundhara Oswal, crying while under detention in Uganda.
Vasundhara, the 26-year-old daughter of Indian-origin Swiss billionaire Pankaj Oswal, has been held in a Ugandan prison for more than two weeks on murder charges, a situation her family claims is entirely baseless and illegal.
The disturbing recording, which captures Vasundhara’s tearful voice as she protests the confiscation of her phone, has further intensified the controversy surrounding her detention.
The Disturbing Audio: “They’re Taking My Phone”
The audio released by the Oswal family is a haunting account of Vasundhara’s distress as she speaks with a family member. In the recording, Vasundhara can be heard repeatedly crying, “They’re taking my phone,” as she is stripped of her last means of communication with the outside world. The voice on the other end of the call protests the treatment, saying, “She’s talking to her family, you cannot deny that. They cannot take your phone.”
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The recording was reportedly made when Vasundhara had been detained for 90 hours. At this point, she had already received an unconditional release order, but Ugandan authorities allegedly continued to hold her without allowing her proper communication with her family or legal representation.
According to her sister, Ridi Oswal, the Ugandan authorities snatched her phone, which triggered an anxiety attack, leaving her in a state of panic. Ridi also noted that her sister was being held in appalling conditions, a situation she described as “disgusting” and completely unjustified.
The release of this audio was intended to draw attention to the harsh and inhumane treatment Vasundhara has faced during her detention. The Oswal family claims that the entire situation is a gross violation of her rights, with no valid charges or evidence against her.
The Charges and Circumstances of Detention
Vasundhara Oswal’s detention began on October 1, 2023, during a visit to Uganda as part of the Oswal Group’s $100 million investment project in the region. The family’s business had planned to establish East Africa’s first grain-based Extra-Neutral Alcohol (ENA) production facility, a major development that would have significant economic benefits for Uganda and the region.
However, during her visit to one of the family’s business sites, Vasundhara was arrested by Ugandan authorities without formal charges being presented.
Disturbing audio: Swiss billionaire's daughter Vasundhara Oswal detained in Uganda, cries for help pic.twitter.com/sAqxZ1FoP9
— BreezyScroll (@BreezyScroll) October 21, 2024
The accusations leveled against her were severe: kidnapping with intent to kill. The charges stemmed from a former employee of the Oswal Group who had taken a $200,000 loan from the family. The ex-employee alleged that Vasundhara had plotted to kidnap and murder him, but the Oswal family has consistently maintained that these accusations are fabricated to avoid repaying the loan.
According to Pankaj Oswal, the former employee, who had fled to Tanzania, was later found by Tanzanian authorities in possession of his passport and is currently in state custody, awaiting his own investigation. This discovery clearly contradicts the charges against Vasundhara, as the man she was accused of kidnapping and murdering is alive and well.
Despite this, Vasundhara continues to be held in a prison in Uganda that houses individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as murder. Her family has expressed outrage over her detention, pointing to the lack of evidence and the harsh conditions she has been subjected to. They argue that her imprisonment is not only unlawful but also a form of intimidation and retaliation by the former employee seeking to manipulate the legal system.
The Family’s Struggle for Justice
The Oswal family has launched an aggressive campaign to secure Vasundhara’s release and bring attention to the injustice she has faced. Through social media, particularly Instagram, her sister Ridi has been vocal in her efforts to highlight her sister’s plight. In multiple posts, Ridi has shared updates on Vasundhara’s condition, detailing the mental and emotional toll the detention has taken on her.
One of the most striking elements of the family’s public campaign is their insistence that the charges against Vasundhara are baseless. They have consistently pointed out that the man at the center of the accusations is not only alive but has been in Tanzania for some time, disproving any claims of kidnapping or murder.
Pankaj Oswal, in an open letter to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, called for his daughter’s immediate release, describing the charges as “trumped up” and orchestrated by the former employee to evade responsibility for his debts.
In addition to the family’s efforts, the Oswals’ vast business empire has also come under scrutiny during this time. Pankaj Oswal, a billionaire with interests spanning petrochemicals, real estate, fertilizers, and mining, has long been involved in major business ventures across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
The Uganda project, with its significant investment in the region’s alcohol production industry, is one of the latest expansions of the Oswal Group’s global footprint. Yet, the situation in Uganda has cast a shadow over these business dealings, with the family now fighting not only to protect their business interests but also to secure the safety and freedom of their daughter.
Vasundhara Oswal’s detention is one that highlights the fragility of justice in situations where power, influence, and corruption collide. Her family’s anguish is palpable in the audio they released, a desperate cry for help in a situation that has spiraled beyond their control. For over two weeks, Vasundhara has been held without any concrete evidence against her, deprived of her basic rights, and forced to endure harsh prison conditions.
As the Oswal family continues to fight for her release, they are calling on international authorities, human rights organizations, and the global business community to take action. Their hope is that by drawing attention to the injustice Vasundhara has faced, they can pressure Ugandan authorities to release her and restore her freedom.
The audio recording of Vasundhara crying while her phone is taken away is a stark reminder of the human cost of such legal battles. For a young woman who has spent much of her life in the public eye as part of a prominent business family, this experience has been nothing short of traumatizing.
Her family’s determination to clear her name and bring her home is a testament to their love and commitment, but it is also a sobering reflection on the challenges they face in navigating an unjust legal system.
For now, the world watches as the Oswal family continues their fight, hoping for a resolution that will bring Vasundhara Oswal back to her family, safe and free from the nightmare she has endured.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏