In a setback to an Indian diplomat, a US judge has recommended that her maid be awarded nearly $1.5 million for the “barbaric treatment” and “emotional distress” suffered by her at the hands of her employer for three years.
Shanti Gurung had accused her employer, Neena Malhotra, who at the time was “serving as the counsellor of press, culture, information, education, and community affairs at the consulate-general of India in Manhattan” of slavery. She had come to New York city in 2006 to work as a domestic help, according to court documents.
In the 28-page recommendation filed by US magistrate judge Frank Maas on Wednesday to judge Victor Marrero of the US district court southern district of New York, judge Maas said he “recommends that Gurung be awarded judgment against the Malhotras in the amount of $1,458,335” because of their “barbaric treatment” of her while she was employed as their domestic worker and forced to work long hours without adequate compensation for three years.
Judge Maas said Ms Gurung, who is now in her early twenties was a victim of “outrageous and shocking conduct”. Her “documents were seized, her travel was restricted, and she was not permitted to telephone her family.
Significantly, Ms Gurung also was deprived of food, which caused her to lose more than 60 pounds in just over three years and was subjected to physical and mental abuse,” judge Maas said adding that Gurung’s compensation should also include $500,000 as damages for “emotional distress”.
According to the court papers, Gurung came to the US at the “behest” of Ms Malhotra and her husband Jogesh Malhotra and was promised a monthly salary of approximately $108 in exchange for “light cooking, light cleaning, and staffing the occasional house party.”