Britain says Verma, family need to leave

H S Rao

London, Jan 19 (PTI) Britain today said the Indiandiplomat accused of assaulting his wife is required to leavethe country along with his family.

Britain''s Foreign and Commonwealth Office today saidit has sent a Note Verbale to the Indian High Commissionyesterday acknowledging Indian government''s decision totransfer senior diplomat Anil Verma back to Delhi, noting thatVerma and his dependants are required to leave the UK.

An FCO spokesperson today said: "We can confirm that,in a letter dated January 13, we formally requested the waiverof diplomatic immunity for a diplomat posted at the IndianHigh Commission in London".

"In a Note Verbale sent to the Indian High Commissionon January 18 we have acknowledged the Indian Government''sdecision to transfer Verma back to Delhi and noted that Vermaand his dependants are required to leave the UK".

Asked to comment on reports that Verma''s wife ParomitaVerma had sought asylum in the UK fearing that her life is indanger if she returned to India, a Home Office spokeswomansaid: "We do not comment on individual asylum application".

The Indian High commission on January 17, 2011informed the FCO through a Note Verbale that a decision hasbeen taken by the Government of India to transfer Verma andhis family to India.

The High Commission sought assistance of the FCO tofacilitate their early return.

Verma, a senior IAS officer of West Bengal cadre,joined the High Commission here as Minister (Economic) onAugust 24, 2009.

He was accompanied by his wife Paromita, two sons nowaged 19 years and 5 years, Paromita mother, and a servicestaff.

In addition to being his wife, Paromita is an employeeof the Indian Railways, and is in London on paid study leavefor two years.