UK's request denied; Indian diplomat recalled

New Delhi, Jan 17: Senior London-based diplomat Anil Verma, accused of assaulting his wife, has been transferred back home with immediate effect and is likely to face action in India. Meanwhile, the UK once again requested India to waive diplomatic immunity for Verma, hence it can be heard in London.

However, India said that it will not agree to give up his diplomatic immunity. The Indian government Claimed that a diplomat is to be heard according to the laws of his or her country.

Verma, a 1986-batch IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre and third-ranked diplomat in the Indian High Commission. Their neighbors, who heard Verma's wife Paromita scream called up police and reported about the wife-bashing on Dec 11, last year.

The British Foreign Office said, "the Foreign Office does not tolerate diplomats working in the UK breaking the law. We can confirm that we have formally requested the waiver of diplomatic immunity for a diplomat posted at the Indian High Commission in London. In addition, Foreign Office officials met staff of the Indian High Commission in London to discuss the matter and to emphasise the serious nature of the allegations."

Over the weekend that Verma's wife, Paromita, has gone into hiding with their young son, The Daily Mail reported.

OneIndia News
(with inputs from PTI)