Indian diplomat''s wife goes into hiding with son: Report

London, Jan 16 (PTI) The wife of Indian diplomat AnilVerma, accused of beating her at their official residence inLondon, has gone into hiding with the couple''s five-year-oldson over fears for her safety, a media report said.

Paromita Verma is living in fear of her life aftermoving out of their home and has applied for leave to remainin the UK on humanitarian grounds amid fears that she would beforcibly taken back to India, the ''Daily Mail'' reported.

An IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre, Anil Verma,who is the third senior-most diplomat and Minister (economic)in the Indian High Commission in the UK, had reportedly soughtimmunity from prosecution after being questioned by the policeover claims that he assaulted his wife in December.

"Throughout their time over here, Anil would boastabout his diplomatic immunity and he would tell Paromita thatno one could touch him because of it. He would goad her andsay, ''Call the police as many times as you want. I''ve gotdiplomatic immunity''.

"He was shameless with it. He has been given so muchpower and he is abusing it. Paromita has gone into hiding andseriously fears that her safety and health are in jeopardy,"a close family friend of the Vermas was quoted by the Britishnewspaper as saying.

Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs had issueda statement on the issue: "The Ministry of External Affairsand our High Commission in London are aware of and are lookinginto the matter." .