Durban: A KwaZulu-Natal nurse spent four days in an Indian prison as a suspected terrorist after airport police found a live bullet in her luggage.
Isra Devi Lutchman, 62, left for India last week hoping to have a wonderful holiday.
However, it turned into a nightmare when she was arrested on arrival in Delhi, on a flight from Dubai, on February 19.
She was held at the Rohini district jail in Delhi, before being released on bail at the weekend.
A relative, who did not want to be named, said Lutchman told them soon after her release that the prison system in India left a lot to be desired. She said she had been fed one slice of bread a day while in jail and had been detained in a cell with other female offenders.She was also not allowed to bath during her incarceration.The relative said Lutchman was traumatised by her arrest.
“She was not given an opportunity to defend herself. She knew nothing about the bullet,” the relative said.
“She was just hauled off to jail and only gave a statement to police when an Indian advocate - Asim Al - was appointed.” The relative said they were trying to secure the help of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) to facilitate Lutchman’s return home.Lutchman is staying at a hotel in Delhi awaiting the arrival of her family.
25/02/14 Sherlissa Peters/IOL News
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Isra Devi Lutchman, 62, left for India last week hoping to have a wonderful holiday.
However, it turned into a nightmare when she was arrested on arrival in Delhi, on a flight from Dubai, on February 19.
She was held at the Rohini district jail in Delhi, before being released on bail at the weekend.
A relative, who did not want to be named, said Lutchman told them soon after her release that the prison system in India left a lot to be desired. She said she had been fed one slice of bread a day while in jail and had been detained in a cell with other female offenders.She was also not allowed to bath during her incarceration.The relative said Lutchman was traumatised by her arrest.
“She was not given an opportunity to defend herself. She knew nothing about the bullet,” the relative said.
“She was just hauled off to jail and only gave a statement to police when an Indian advocate - Asim Al - was appointed.” The relative said they were trying to secure the help of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) to facilitate Lutchman’s return home.Lutchman is staying at a hotel in Delhi awaiting the arrival of her family.
25/02/14 Sherlissa Peters/IOL News
