MEA says it will investigate the matter seriously
Devyani Khobragade
New Delhi: Fortunately for India, the domestic help, who alleged he was assaulted by India High Commissioner of New Zealand, did not press any charges and chose to return to India in the last week of May. MEA sources insisted that India had recalled the high commissioner on its own and that it was not asked to do so by New Zealand.
According to some reports in the New Zealand media, the domestic help, who apparently worked as a cook, told the police there that he had also been threatened with assault by the high commissioner himself but the couple have denied the allegations. This is the second high-profile incident involving an Indian diplomat in recent times after the arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in the United States towards the end of 2013.
In its reaction, the MEA said, “The ministry is seized of this matter. It was first brought to the notice of the ministry on May 10, 2015 when one of the service staff members of the high commission, New Zealand, was found missing. The high commission immediately informed both the New Zealand police and the foreign office.
The New Zealand authorities reverted with the information that the service staff member presented himself to the New Zealand police on May 11, 2015 and made certain allegations. The ministry takes all such cases very seriously. A team was deputed from headquarters to New Zealand to ascertain the facts and conduct an independent inquiry. The team liaised with the New Zealand authorities to resolve the matter. The team also facilitated the return of the service staff member who wanted to return to India. He returned on May 28, 2015.
Though no charges were pressed by the service staff member, the ministry will investigate the matter further. The high commissioner has been posted back to headquarters.” According to reports in the New Zealand media, the Indian “staff member” was found by a member of the public “in a distressed state in Wellington after walking from the residence in Lower Hutt to the city” following which he was taken to the Wellington police station. According to these reports, the man alleged he was physically assaulted by the High Commissioner’s wife at the HC residence where he worked and lived, and threatened with assault by the High Commissioner as well. But he apparently said he would not make a formal complaint and wanted to return to India.
The New Zealand police sought the help of the ministry of foreign affairs and trade which alerted the MEA in New Delhi. The domestic help was reportedly taken to the Wellington Night Shelter where he stayed for a few nights.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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