Australian Police deny making entry in Haneef diary

Melbourne, July 23: While the Australian Federal Police(AFP) are getting bogged down with allegations of mismanaging Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef's case, leader of Opposition Kevin Rudd today gave indications of changing stance on the case which according to him has assumed farcical dimensions.

The opposition Labour party would now seek a fresh briefing from the AFP and the Federal Government as a number of inconsistencies and discrepancies had been pointed out in the case against Haneef.

The physician from Bangalore was arrested by the Australian police from Brisbane airport when he was trying to board a flight to India on July 2.

He was charged with 'recklessly' supporting the terrorist group involved in failed late June bombings in the UK but was bailed by a Brisbane Magistrate because of the 'thin' evidence.

Mohamed Haneef has been in detention after Australian Immigration Minister cancelled his temporary business entry visa on character grounds.

The Indian doctor has become a rallying point for the civil libertarians in Australia with a number of protests taking place almost everyday all over the country.

The Australian Labour Party (ALP) has also decided to change their attitude towards the case which has been hogging media headlines for the last three weeks.

Kevin Rudd had earlier extended unequivocal support to the Australian government over the matter, but now the Opposition leader wanted further briefings before commenting on the case.

''On the overall handling of this case, we have taken in good faith the briefings provided to us to date by the government,'' Mr Rudd told reporters today in Tasmania, adding, ''We will now be seeking a further briefing from the government.'' Earlier in the day, beleaguered AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty denied the Australian newspaper reports that the police had written the names of overseas terror suspects in Haneef's personal diary. The police, the newspaper report alleged, then interrogated Mohamed Haneef about the names asking if he had written the potentially incriminating notes himself.

''Police at no time made any notations or additions to Mr Haneef's diary,'' the AFP chief said in a statement.

''As this matter is currently before the court, it is not appropriate for the AFP to elaborate in greater detail,'' Mick Keelty added.

The diary fiasco is third such discrepancy which has emerged in the Indian doctor's case in as many days.

The serious Monday allegation came after it was revealed that Haneef's SIM card was not found in the burning Jeep that crashed into the Glasgow airport on June 30.

Commissioner Keelty also denied yesterday that Haneef was under investigation for plotting to bomb a Queeensland landmark high-rise building.

Meanwhile, a leading law body has appealed to the Immigration Minister to issue a Bridging visa to Mohamed Haneef so that he could come out of the solitary confinement and live in the community.

Haneef's appeal against the cancellation of his visa is scheduled for a hearing on August 8.

UNI