Haneef meets Kumaraswamy

Bangalore, July 30 (UNI) Freed Indian Doctor Mohammed Haneef today met Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and expressed gratitude over the support provided to him and the family during the days of crisis.

Confirming the job offer made by Mr Kumaraswamy, Dr Haneef told waiting reporters at Chief Minister's home office 'Krishna' that he would take a decision at an appropriate time after consulting his family.

Mr Kumaraswamy had told Dr Haneef that it was most unfortunate that the Australian police had framed charges of ''reckless support'' to terrorism.

He said the state government was behind Dr Haneef and reiterated the job offer.

Denying charges that the state was a ''silent spectator'' to the turn of events since Dr Haneef's arrest at Brisbane in Australia on July two, Mr Kumaraswamy said it was doing everything it could.

''The issue had to be handled by the Centre and the External Affairs Ministry,'' he added.

Dr Haneef thanked the people of the country and the Australians for extending support to him during the ordeal.

During the meeting with Mr Kumaraswamy, Dr Haneef was accompanied by his Australian counsel Peter Russo and cousin Imran Siddiqui.

UNI