Indian woman convicted in Malaysia

Indian woman convicted in Malaysia
Times of India, 25 Dec 2008, 0540 hrs IST, IANS

KUALA LUMPUR: An Indian national has been convicted and sentenced for eight years for forcing a compatriot into prostitution after promising her a job as maid in Malaysian capital. R Punitha, herself a prostitute, pleaded guilty before Judge Mohammed Nasir Mordin. She screamed, cried and hit her head when the sentence was announced, the official Malaysian news agency Bernama reported. She was charged for exploiting S Maruthambal, 33, through force and threats at a house. According to the facts of the case, Maruthambal came under Punitha's care after she was sweet-talked by agents in India that she could get a job as a maid in Malaysia. During her confinement, Maruthambal was forced to provide sexual services to 20 to 25 men daily and her earnings were taken by Punitha. She was also threatened by Punitha that if she refused, her family in India would be killed by gangsters there. Maruthambal managed to escape to the Indian High Commission before making a police report, The Star newspaper said.