Action against 43 officials of Indian diplomatic missions across 17 countries
New Delhi: The government is taking action regarding the complaints against 43 officials of Indian diplomatic missions in 17 countries who are facing a variety of charges, including corruption and dereliction of duty. “Action is being taken in all 43 cases as per established procedure,” ministry of external affairs spokesman Vikas Swarup was quoted by news agencies as saying in Bangkok.
Some of the complaints are against low-ranking officials and locally-hired staff and the cases are being dealt with as per procedure, he said. “The ministry takes seriously any complaint that it receives about the performance of its missions and posts abroad. Complaints are dealt with as per established and prescribed procedures,” Mr Swarup, who is currently accompanying external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on a three-day visit to Thailand, said.
The recall of India’s high commissioner to New Zealand, Ravi Thapar, following accusations that his wife assaulted a domestic help has brought the focus back on the conduct of the diplomats posted abroad. As per official figures, six complaints against officials in Indian missions were received in 2012, 10 in 2013 and 27 in 2014.
A maximum of eight complaints each have been received from the missions in the UK and Madagascar in the last three years. Complaints have also reportedly been received against Indian mission staff in Afghanistan, Austria, Canada, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Botswana, Thailand, Zambia, Mauritius, Morocco, Netherlands, South Africa and Mali. Two complaints were received from the UK in 2012, one in 2013 and five last year.
An Indian cook working at Mr Thapar’s residence in New Zealand had alleged last month that he was assaulted by his wife Sharmila Thapar. Following this, the external affairs ministry sent a team to conduct an inquiry.
A team was deputed 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 MEA said on Saturday.
