Home detention for Dr Mohamed Haneef

Melbourne, July 27: Charges against Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef may have been dropped, but he would still be kept under detention till the Immigration Department decides whether to reinstate his visa or deport him.

But it would come as a relief to the Indian doctor, his family and supporters that Haneef would not be moved to Immigration Detention as charges against him have been dropped now.

Mohamed Haneef can live at his Gold Coast unit while Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews decides whether to reverse his decision to revoke Dr Haneef's visa or not.

"That means that he has to reside at an agreed place, it means he's free to actually move about in the community," the Minister said after news of dropping the charges became public.

The statement has been issued in response to the heavy criticism Australian government is facing for the mishandling of the case and the 'international humiliation' arising out of it.

Mohamed Haneef, 27, has been in Australian police detention after he was arrested while trying to board a flight to India on July 2. He was suspected to be involved in the failed UK bombings in which two of his cousins are facing criminal charges.

The circumstances surrounding the Indian doctor's arrest and the subsequent revoking of his Temporary Business Entry subclass 457 visa led to unprecedented public fury.

The case was marked by a series of leaks and blunders leading to an 'extraordinary' intervention by the Director of Public Prosecutions yesterday.

The fate of Mohamed Haneef's visa would be decided on August 8, after his case will be heard in Federal Court.

UNI