In a harrowing incident, three men have been apprehended by the Missouri Police in the United States for allegedly holding a 20-year-old Indian student captive and subjecting him to brutal assaults. The victim, who arrived in the US from India last year to pursue his studies at the esteemed Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital for severe bone fractures, extensive lacerations, and injuries covering his entire body.

The young student, whose identity remains undisclosed, was confined against his will for over seven agonizing months by one of his cousins and two other individuals. During this period, he was deprived of basic amenities such as access to a washroom, and was mercilessly beaten while being coerced into working at three different residences, as per the police statement.

The shocking incident came to light when a concerned citizen, who became aware of the situation, promptly reported it to the authorities, according to news agency PTI. Acting swiftly, the police reached the premises located on a rural highway in St Charles County and apprehended the accused individuals. The main suspect, identified as 35-year-old Venkatesh R Sattaru, was arrested along with Sravan Varma Penumetcha and Nikhil Verma Penmatsa. They now face charges including human trafficking, kidnapping, and assault.

Investigations reveal that the student had been forcefully taken to Sattaru’s residence since April, where he was coerced into performing chores, working full days for Sattaru’s IT company, and completing a series of evening tasks. The charges further state that for the entire duration of his captivity, the victim was locked in a basement, forced to sleep on an unfinished floor, and denied access to a bathroom. In his desperate bid to survive, he resorted to scavenging for food scraps in nearby restaurant dumpsters.

Providing more insights into the horrifying ordeal, the police termed it “absolutely inhumane and unconscionable.” Additionally, it was revealed that Sattaru owned three separate residences in Defiance, Dardenne Prairie, and O’Fallon, where the student was held captive.

Authorities identified Sattaru as the ringleader, residing in the O’Fallon home with his wife and children. In addition to the aforementioned charges, he also faces allegations of human trafficking for slavery and contributing to human trafficking through the misuse of documentation.

Penumetcha and Penmatsa, the other two arrested individuals, were residents of the same property from where the student was ultimately rescued.

During a press conference, the police recounted their initial struggle to gain entry into the premises. However, eventually, the student managed to escape from the basement, trembling uncontrollably and bearing visible scars, bruises, and swelling all over his body, as stated in the charges.