Legislators urge govt to extend help to Dr Haneef

Bangalore, July 31: Opposition leader in the Karnataka Legislative Council H K Patil today urged the state government to make good the legal expenses of freed Indian Doctor Mohammed Haneef, absolved of terrorism linked charges by the Australian government.

"As a gesture of goodwill the state government should come out by taking burden of Dr Haneef's, who had to undergo a traumatic 25 days of police custody in Australia and spend a big amount for hiring legal experts," Mr Patil said.

Making his submission during Zero hour in the Council the Congress leader said the doctor was humiliated and harassed by the Australian authorities by falsely implicating him in terrorist linked activities. "It is appropriate if state government comes to the aid of Dr Haneef and his family members" he said.

Reacting to Opposition leader's remark, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, informed the house that he had met Dr Haneef and his family members and consoled them for the ordeal the latter faced in Australia. "I have also promised to extend all kind of help to Dr Haneef," he said.

Prof B K Chandrashekhar, Chairman of the house intervened and said that in securing justice to Dr Haneef, various human rights organisations also contributed and they also deserved for applauds.

Earlier Congress member A M Hindasageri, making a submission, charged that by harassing innocent Indian Doctor the Australian government had brought bad name to India and its citizens. The injustice meted out to Indian doctor should be condemned, he said.

House leader and Higher Education Minister D H Shankara Murthy also criticised the Australian authorities for harassing innocent Indian doctor.

UNI