Once considered a role model for the generation next of Canadian desis, Ruby Dhalla finds herself in a deep pit. And this not the first time she’s in hot waters. 

The recent trouble for her began with sensational but open allegations from two caregiver workers. The allegations were made against Ruby Dhalla and members of her household that they allegedly abused live-in caregivers 

Despite that Ruby herself has denied any impropriety or wrongdoings, the issue has taken very serious turn because the nature of allegations. Though the issue came in larger public domain after Toronto Star’s investigative report, the allegations against her were made at a public meeting of nannies last month.

In the meeting two nannies alleged that Dhalla improperly seized their passports, and that family members directed them to perform duties outside the ambit of the live-in caregiver program, such as cleaning her brother's chiropractic clinic. They also allege the Dhalla family failed to secure the required federal approval before hiring the nannies and did not compensate them for forced overtime.

Ruby came out with a defense that she had nothing to do with the hiring and supervising the work of said nannies. In a statement to the local media, Dhalla said she has "no knowledge of the details regarding the live-in caregivers for her family".

The MP claimed she had "no involvement in the selection, interviewing, hiring, supervising, sponsoring or any financial transactions whatsoever with a live-in caregiver for my family".

Because, the allegations are very blunt and serious, the issue may prove very costly for Ruby. Already, her party’s newly crowned leader has taken notice of the issue.  

Neither defending nor condemning Michael Ignatieff simply said that his office is probed accusations. "We're checking the facts," he was quoted saying.

From her defense what one can make out? At best, Dhalla's denials suggest she closed her eyes to what may have been taking place under her nose. The defense seems to very shallow and naïve and may not stand through scrutiny.  

Even the timing of these allegations is very important. A report on the treatment of temporary foreign workers and live-in caregivers is set to land in Parliament. Naturally, the Liberal party’s leadership can’t afford to put the issue under the carpet.

And demand for proper investigation in the matter has been coming from different directions. 

Migrante, an alliance of organisations of caregivers in Canada, Tuesday demanded an investigation against Dhalla for her alleged ill-treatment of the two nannies.

It said that the report of abuse "belies Dr Dhalla's claims to champion causes important to families and to raise awareness among women of ethnic communities". Dhalla's actions violated "labour standards as well as the Immigration Act", the caregivers' body added.

Calling upon the attorney general of Ontario province to initiate action against Dhalla for her ill-treatment of the nannies, Migrante said: "These actions of an elected representative who allegedly abused her position of power and status must be put into question."

And this is not the first time that Ruby is facing controversy. Only two months ago she was embroiled in a controversy over her reported steamy scenes in a Bollywood movie.

In March, Dhalla had tried to stop distribution of DVDs of a locally produced Bollywood film "Kyon Kis Liye" in which she is shown in some steamy scenes with the film's producer and co-star Charanjit Sihra.

At that time, Dhalla denied that she had ever done those scenes and alleged that her face was superimposed on them.

Even before that, in January 2008 she faced another controversy when the Punjab police beat up two children after her aide's purse was stolen. That issue snow balled into major bickering after media carried stories about children beaten in her presence and she doing nothing to stop it. Dhalla was portrayed in the media as uncaring about the children's fate. Later, Ruby had to defend herself saying that she condemned violence of any kind.

What turn the issue will take and what will be legal ramifications only the time will tell. But one can conclude easily that Ruby has to pay a high price for it. It will certainly jeopardize her political career. 

It would be to early to say that her career will end with this but one has to remember what happened to Gurmant Grewal, another desi politician who was in hurry to rise to the zenith. He was entangled in the trap, which was laid by him and ended his career with a bang.    

The rise of Ruby on political horizons was phenomenal. No doubt she was catapulted to the forefronts by then Prime Minister Paul Martin but from a green horn she earned a national spotlight for herself and deserve credit for it.

But one has to see whether her political journey had reached a dead end. If so it would be certainly a phenomenal fall as was her rise. Still one hopes that she come over the crisis as she always had so far. Being fair to her in true sense of justice and conscience she certainly deserves to be given a fair trial on the issue. Let us not judge her on this point for her past deeds or the image she carries.

Moreover there is always great scope for correction for everyone including Ruby. Her rise has indeed been so fast and so instant. It depends upon her to retain her glory. After all she appears to be much misunderstood as they say more sinned against than sinning. At the same time it is not the purpose of this paper to condone her off all her deeds. Whether good or bad she has to be accountable and we are sure she would be. And she herself should agree to that. Because Ruby has a long way to go in Canadian politics. She is too young to take the risks that might force her early exit which she or none of her supporters would like to happen.