A 20-year-old Indian student, who had dreams of pursuing higher education at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, has been freed after enduring a nightmarish ordeal in Missouri. The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, was rescued by authorities on Wednesday after being held captive for an extended period of time. He was subjected to unimaginable cruelty, including brutal beatings and inhumane living conditions.

The police have made three arrests in connection with the case. Venkatesh R Sattaru, Sravan Varma Penumetcha, and Nikhil Verma Penmatsa were apprehended at their residence on a rural highway in St Charles County. They now face charges of human trafficking, kidnapping, and assault. Their arrest came after an anonymous caller alerted the authorities, prompting an investigation into the distressing circumstances.

According to Joe McCulloch, the prosecutor overseeing the case, the victim is currently receiving medical treatment for multiple bone fractures, lacerations, and injuries covering his entire body. Reports indicate that the young student was confined to a basement for over seven months, forced to sleep on an unfinished floor without access to a bathroom. In order to survive, he resorted to scavenging food from nearby dumpsters.

The details of the abuse inflicted upon the victim are truly horrifying. Numerous objects, including electrical wire, PVC pipe, metal rods, wooden boards, sticks, and even a water supply hose, were used by his captors to brutally assault him. McCulloch expressed his shock and disgust, calling the treatment "absolutely inhumane and unconscionable."

The investigation revealed that the abuse began in April 2023, with the three defendants allegedly subjecting the victim to captivity and assault at three different residences in Defiance, Dardenne Prairie, and O'Fallon. Sattaru, identified as the ringleader of the group, resides in the O'Fallon home with his family, while Penumetcha and Penmatsa live in the same household where the student was ultimately rescued.

The victim's daily routine was one of extreme hardship. Forced to start chores at 4:30 am, he would then work a full day at Sattaru's IT company, followed by a list of additional tasks in the evenings. The student divulged to the police that he was allowed only three hours of sleep on a concrete floor in the locked basement, continuously monitored by Sattaru through surveillance cameras. Failure to complete tasks to Sattaru's satisfaction resulted in severe beatings, with the victim being stripped naked and assaulted.

When authorities arrived at Sattaru's residence, no one responded to their knocks. The three individuals involved in the case have yet to secure legal representation. McCulloch highlighted the severity of the violence, detailing how the victim was stomped on, kicked, and assaulted with various objects, causing previously untreated fractures and breaks.

The importance of community vigilance was emphasized by McCulloch, who praised the concerned citizen whose report led to the student's rescue. He urged individuals to speak up if they observe suspicious activities, stating, "If you see something, say something."

Due to the suspects' wealth and political connections in India, they are being held without bond at the St. Charles County Jail, pending further legal proceedings.

This shocking case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and swift action in safeguarding the welfare of individuals, particularly those who may be vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.