Stranded chef forced to work in inhumane conditions at Maldives resort rescued by MBVV police ‘Bharosa cell’

In another successful cross-border operation, personnel of the Bharosa Cell (Trust) of the Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) police rescued a 24-year-old youth named Moon Parekh, who was allegedly detained and forced to work in inhumane conditions at a resort in the Maldives.

The action comes in response to a complaint filed by Man’s mother, who said a recruitment agency lured her only son with the promise of helping him with a job as a chef at a resort in the Maldives that would bring him an attractive salary and other benefits. Moon traveled to the Maldives in December 2023 and began working as a chef at the resort.

Despite the fact that he worked 18-20 hours every day, the hotel management not only did not pay him his salary for two months, but also deprived him of proper nutrition, due to which his health began to deteriorate. After learning about her son’s suffering, she contacted the resort owner asking her to send him back to India. She even agreed to pay money on behalf of her son for failure to fulfill the contract. However, the owner remained deaf to her pleas. Moon’s mother has been trying unsuccessfully to provide for her son through various channels for the past six months. Finally, on November 11, she approached the Bharosa cell in Bhayandar for help.

Sensing the seriousness of the matter, a team led by IPA Tejashree Shinde under the leadership of Police Commissioner Madhukar Pandey established contact with the resort owner, taking the help of the Indian Embassy. The owner was informed of Moon’s health, who eventually relented and agreed to send him back. Moon flew back to India and was reunited with his family members on November 18.

Notably, the cell has previously helped bring back victims from Central Africa, Dubai, Kuwait and even Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia. MBVV Police have urged job seekers to check the credentials of foreign employers or companies before traveling abroad for employment purposes and advised people to check the background and track record of recruitment agents otherwise the chances of getting into trouble are extremely high.

The cell operates on the ground floor of Bhayandar police station. People in distress can visit the cell or call 112 or 28040006 for assistance.