'Haneef not so eager to go back to Australia': Family

Bangalore, Dec 21 (UNI) Dr Mohammad Haneef, who was arrested as a 'suspected terrorist' by the Australian authorities, may not return there, despite the Australian Federal Court's direction to restore his work permit.

Haneef's family sources told UNI that his urge to go back might not be as 'strong' as it was earlier.

Dr Haneef's cousin Imran Siddique welcomed the Federal Court's full bench order, reinstating his work visa. ''It is really good to hear this news. Actually we were expecting such a decision,'' he said.

The doctor, along with his wife and mother, was presently in Mecca on Haj.

Haneef was arrested by the Australian police on July 2 in connection with the Glasgow airport attack case on the charge of having terror links and two weeks later he was chargesheeted for 'wrecklessly supporting an act of terrorism'.

He was, however, freed after 25 days of confinment and sent back to India after the government decided to cancel his work visa.

Imran, who had gone to Australia to bring Haneef back, said many factors would have to be considered before Haneef went back to Australia. ''We have not taken any decision yet. It will depend on many things like his personal interests and the hospital management's decision in this regard. We need some positive signals from that side,'' he said.

When contacted Haneef's father-in-law Ashfaq Ahamed said the family was celebrating a 'double Eid' today and were happy to hear the court's verdict. ''This year's Bakrid had been very special to us. Haneef is still in Mecca and I will speak to him tonight. He is yet to take a decision on going back to Australia,'' he said.

UNI