Visa cancellation: Haneef's lawyers files appeal

Melbourne, July 18: The lawyers of Mohamed Haneef, the Indian doctor detained in Australia for his alleged links with the failed UK terror plot, today filed an appeal challenging the cancellation of his visa.

Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews had earlier revoked a temporary skill visa, held by the terror suspect, on the grounds that he had failed a character test.

The controversial measure was resorted to after Mohamed Haneef (27) was granted bail by a Brisbane Magistrate.

Civil liberty groups and lawyers' organisations have slammed the visa cancellation move as ''undermining the courts''.

An appeal has been lodged today to get the Minister's visa cancellation order revoked. After the documents pertaining to the suspect's interview with Australian Federal Police were leaked to a national daily, Haneef's Australian solicitor Peter Russo declined to provide the details of the appeal.

Meanwhile, Haneef has denied an Indian newspaper report that he was a senior member of the banned group--Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in his medical college days.

Australian intelligence authorities are reportedly taking serious interest in The Asian Age newspaper report alleging that the terror suspect was a senior SIMI activist. However, Dr Haneef has reportedly debunked the news article through his solicitor Peter Russo.

Meanwhile, the Australian High Commissioner was yesterday summoned by the Indian Foreign Affairs Ministry to discuss Dr Haneef's case.

Even as the opposition to the treatment meted out to the doctor from Bangalore is mounting everyday, the ruling Liberal Party may be taking consolation that it has the support of the Opposition on this issue.

Mr Kevin Rudd, the Australian Opposition leader has continued to maintain his support for the Australian Immigration Minister.

''Based on the information we have to hand, we believe the Immigration Minister has operated properly within the powers the minister has under the Migration Act,'' Mr Rudd told reporters in Sydney today.

UNI