Diplomat''s parents claim he is ''innocent''

New Delhi, Jan.18 (PTI) Claiming that he is "innocent",parents of Indian diplomat Anil Verma, who has beentransferred back to India from London following allegations ofwife-beating, today sought a transparent probe into thecharges against their son.

Verma''s parents Ayodhya and Premlata Verma, who live inVaranasi, told news channels that his marriage to IndianRailways Service officer Paromita was an unhappy one.

Both his father and mother levelled allegations againstParomita, claiming that their son was innocent.

The diplomat has been in the eye of a storm ever sinceParomita was found screaming by neighbours outside theirLondon residence with blood streaming from her nose.

Verma has asked the UK government to produce his wife,who has gone into hiding along with their five-year-old son,insisting he will return to India with them.

Verma, Minister (economic) and the third senior-mostofficer in the Indian High Commission, has been transferredback and the External Affairs Ministry today said that it hastaken a serious view of the matter which will be "thoroughlyinvestigated and acted upon appropriately".

British police rushed to his residence followingthe complaint of domestic violence but Verma cited diplomaticimmunity and escaped action.