Was treated as a slave in Britain: Indian housekeeper

London -  An Indian housekeeper has accused a British government lawyer of keeping her as a "slave" and feeding her with scraps for over four years.

Counsel for Pratima Das said the 43-year old Indian widow was forced to work 15 hours a day while employed as a nanny and cleaner for Shibani Rahulan, the principle legal officer at the Department of Health, the Sun reported Friday.

Lawyer Ian Wheaton told the Court of Appeal in London that Das also claimed her passport was confiscated and she was unpaid for the work she carried out for employer Rahulan, 40, and her family.

He went on to allege she was "a victim of human trafficking... she has been treated as a slave".

On Thursday Das, however, lost her case before Lord Justice Mummery. She wanted a full employment tribunal. But the court ruled her claim had not been lodged within the lawful time restrictions.

Lord Justice Mummery said Das could still pursue her claim through the civil courts.

Wheaton told the court that Das was "required to work 15 hours a day unpaid, living as a servant or slave for the family carrying out all their chores" in Harrow, north London.

"She was required to eat sitting on the floor eating the family's leftovers. Effectively held in captivity, not allowed out for four years, except on trips to collect the children from the nanny and threatened with violence if she spoke to anyone."

The Indian woman, now living in Southampton city, has applied for asylum in Britain which is still being considered.