Scared of going back to India, says diplomat''s wife

H S Rao

London, Feb 2 (PTI) Paromita Verma, the estranged wife ofrecalled Indian diplomat Anil Verma, has claimed that herhusband hit her more than once and she was "extremely fearful"of her fate if she was forced to return to India.

In a statement contained in her complaint to the FamilyDivision of the Royal Courts of Justice here, she said: "I amextremely fearful of what might happen to me and my son if weare forced to return to India."

Referring to the December 11 attack which resulted inIndia recalling Verma, who was Minister (Economic) in the HighCommission here, back to Delhi, Paromita said, "He hit mehard, resulting in profuse bleeding."

She claimed that Verma had also used physical forceagainst her in Delhi in October 2008 before coming to Londonand again in October and November 2009 in London.

But, according to the Scotland Yard which investigatedthe assault case, "she suffered a minor facial injury."

The report said, "We were accompanied by a LondonAmbulance Service and she was taken to hospital forprecautionary X-Ray."

Paromita claimed that her father in law had alsoassaulted her during her visit to her in-laws'' place inVaranasi. "I was assaulted by my father-in-law and verballyabused."

She alleged that her father-in-law summoned 200 locals,who tried to stone her to death.

This was a traumatic experience for the couple''s son, whosuffers from "prune belly syndrome" and is presentlyundergoing treatment for this, she said.

Paromita, who wants to stay here for an indefiniteperiod, has secured an ex-parte "non-molestation" orderagainst Verma restraining him from coming near their son. Thenext hearing is expected in a couple of weeks.

The December 11 incident was provoked by a gift, aChristmas tree, made by Paromita''s aunt -- her mother''s sisterwho is married to Robert Chase and lives near their house --for their son.

This was objected to by Verma and led to an altercation.

Verma left London on January 21 on orders from the Governmentof India.

The British Foreign Office has notified Paromita andother dependants of Verma -- his mother-in-law, a step-son anda housekeeper -- that they are required to leave by February22.