Tainted masseur's bail extended, can't return after Games

Melbourne, Mar 17 (UNI) Tainted masseur Diwan Asghar Nabi can't return with the Indian contingent as a local court today posted the next hearing in the alleged sexual assault case to April and the disgraced support staff has been asked not to leave even though the Commonweath Games conclude on March 26.

The 35-year-old masseur, charged with one count of indecent assault and one count of unlawful assault on an Australian teenager in the Games Village, however, denied any wrongdoing and his lawyer Tom Danos told Melbourne Magistrates Court that the Indian was anxious to have the matter solved before the Games end.

''His great concern is that he is here only for the period of the Games, or had intended to be here for the period of the Games,'' the lawyer said.

''He is anxious and keen for the matter to be heard as quickly as possible,'' he said.

Magistrate Paul Smith said the court would hear the case in a two-day sitting next month and extended Nabi's bail until then.

Nabi has surrendered his passport to police and he has to stay till the hearing and the Indian consulate will be aware of his movements.

Though Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has suspended Nabi from the contingent and he was thrown out of the Games Village, it was decided to provide him with legal assistance.

''We strongly condemn Nabi's act but we cannot leave him in the lurch,'' Indian chef-de-mission H J Dora said.

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