Necessary action will be taken on NY-posted diplomat''s return

New Delhi, Jun 19 (PTI) Terming as "unfortunate" theincident involving diplomat Alok Ranjan Jha, accused ofmisbehaving with a co-passenger on board an Air India flight,Ministry of External Affairs today said necessary follow upaction will be taken after his return.

"The Ministry is aware of the unfortunate incident.

The matter was looked into immediately. The officer sincestands transferred back to headquarters. Necessary follow upaction will be taken once he is back in New Delhi," anofficial spokesperson said.

Jha, a 2002 Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer andfirst secretary in the permanent mission in New York, has beentransferred to Delhi following the incident on January 7.

He had topped the all-India civil services exams in2002 and had opted for the IFS as his first choice.

Jha is the second diplomat after London-based AnilVerma, accused of beating his wife, to be transferred back toIndia in less than a week''s time.

According to sources, Jha was allegedly drunk and usedinappropriate language with a co-passenger. He was travellingto New York from Delhi after being posted as First Secretaryat Permanent Mission of India, New York.