Begusarai: A young man from Bihar, who went to Oman seeking a better life, has returned home after enduring months of torture and exploitation. Roshan Sharma, the only son of a carpenter from Bhagwanpur block in Begusarai, was lured abroad with promises of a lucrative salary, only to find himself trapped in an exploitative situation.
Roshan, who holds a hotel management degree, had been assured a monthly salary of Rs 80,000 by a Dehradun-based placement agency. However, upon reaching Mumbai airport on 3 December 2023, he was handed a contract offering just Rs 26,000 per month. Unable to back out, he boarded a flight to Muscat, Oman, where his ordeal began.
Exploitation in Oman
On arrival, Roshan was handed over to a company named Bhesfor and assigned to work at the Mercure Hotel, a five-star property. Five months into his employment, the company confiscated his passport, citing the need to open a bank account. When he requested its return, he was met with threats and intimidation.
Roshan realized he had been ensnared in a system of exploitation but had no way out. In August 2024, he managed to escape from the company and sought help at the Indian Embassy in Oman. The embassy intervened but initially sent him back to his employer, where he faced further torture. Undeterred, Roshan fled again, spending the night hiding and eventually finding refuge at a local Gurudwara.
Four Months in Hiding
For the next four months, Roshan lived at the Gurudwara, surviving on free food and assistance from local volunteers. Back in Bihar, his family, desperate to bring him home, approached Union Minister Giriraj Singh. The minister contacted the Ministry of External Affairs, prompting swift action from the Indian Embassy.
On 26 December 2024, the embassy retrieved Roshan’s passport and arranged a flight ticket to Lucknow for 28 December. However, traumatized by his experiences, Roshan opted to return a day earlier, flying to Mumbai on 27 December.
Homecoming Brings Relief
Roshan’s return has brought immense relief to his family and the local community in Dahiya village. “You can survive on bread and salt here, but no youth should go abroad through such agencies,” Roshan said, urging others to avoid similar traps. He also highlighted the plight of hundreds of others still stuck in similar situations.
This harrowing incident has once again underscored the dangers faced by Indian workers lured overseas by fraudulent agents. While Roshan’s story has a happy ending, it serves as a grim reminder of the exploitation many continue to face abroad.
