Australian Envoy in India summoned by MEA

New Delhi, July 17: A day after India expressed concern over the detention of Dr Mohammed Haneef in Australia, the External Affairs Ministry today summoned the Australian High Commissioner in New Delhi and conveyed New Delhi's strong resentment.

Mr Biren Nanda, Joint Secretary (South) in the External Affairs Ministry, summoned Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy and conveyed New Delhi's concern, a senior official of the External Affairs Ministry said.

India had yesterday expressed concern at the detention of Dr Mohammed Haneef, a doctor from Bangalore, in Australia for allegedly assisting terrorists and had asked Canberra to treat him ''fairly and justly'' under the Australian law.

Dr Haneef, an Indian citizen who was working as a doctor in the Gold Coast Hospital in Queensland, was detained late on July 2 night by Australian authorities on the suspicion of ''assisting a terrorist organisation''.

Dr Haneef was charged with intentionally providing a SIM card to a terrorist organisation under the relevant section of the Australian Criminal Code.

Yesterday, an Australian Magistrate granted bail to Dr Haneef in the case against him. However, thereafter the Australian Minister for Immigration Affairs announced the revocation of the visa of Dr Haneef who has been detained under Australian Immigration laws.

This had been done on the grounds of failure in the character test on account of association with a group or organisation suspected to be involved in criminal conduct.

UNI

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