Women’s commission chief meets inmates at Nabha jail

Chairperson of the Punjab State Women’s Commission, Raj Lali Gill, visited the New District Jail, Nabha, and met 32 women inmates who had previously worked in immigration and call centres. During her visit, she also listened to the concerns of other female inmates.

Gill reviewed the number of women incarcerated and the conditions of children living with their mothers in the jail. She assessed the challenges faced by the inmates and examined the facilities provided to them according to the jail manual. She directed the jail administration to ensure all women prisoners received appropriate facilities, emphasising no woman endured undue hardship.

She said these 32 girls had previously been held in Ropar Jail but were transferred to Nabha. “These women seem to have been unwittingly trapped by the promise of jobs and salaries,” she said, adding that the commission would extend its support to them. The chairperson elaborated that the girls hailed from various states, including Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Assam, Maharashtra, Manipur, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. “They were employed by call centres and immigration firms, which were later found to be fraudulent during police raids, resulting in their arrests. Many of these girls did not even receive appointment letters or job cards, which contributed to their entrapment,” she stated.

further noted that out of around 150 individuals arrested in connection with the fraudulent operations, 13 of the 32 girls had already been granted bail, and six had been released. She said while some women were awaiting their release, there were a few whose families were unable to secure bail. “In these cases, the commission is exploring alternatives to facilitate their release.”

The chairperson urged young girls and boys, seeking employment in call centres or immigration firms, to thoroughly vet the companies before accepting job offers to avoid falling victim to fraud. She said, “When taking a job, don’t just focus on the salary. Ensure you verify the company’s profile and secure proper documentation, such as an appointment letter.”

She was welcomed at the jail by Nabha SDM Ismat Vijay Singh, Jail Superintendent Gurmukh Singh, Nabha DSP Mandeep Kaur, Jail Deputy Superintendent Harpreet Singh and Puneet Garg. Accompanying her were the commission’s Deputy Director Sumandeep Kaur and Superintendent Mohan Kumar.