‘Haneef to get AUD 1 mn from Oz govt’

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, December 21: Wrongly implicated and held over a botched in UK terror attack, Indian doctor Mohammad Haneef will receive “substantial” compensation from the Australian government, a report claimed on Tuesday.

According to a leading Australian newspaper, the development has been confirmed by Haneef in Brisbane this afternoon. As per the deal, all court action over the matter, including against former Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews, who cancelled the Indian-born doctor’s visa will stand terminated.

"I am pleased and relieved…. I’m happy with the resolution of this matter ", Dr Haneef has been quoted as saying.

"My wrongful arrest and detention in 2007 was a very traumatic experience and today’s settlement was a chance to end this part of my life and move on with my family," he said.

The newspaper, further quoted Haneef’s lawyer Rod Hodgson as saying that the compensation -- agreed to during mediation talks with the federal government -- was "substantial". However, he did not reveal the figure. But it is being suggested by those in the know that the compensation could be in the order of AUD 1 million.

Importantly, Haneef, who was working at the Gold Coast Hospital before his arrest in 2007, still looks forward to return to Australia, with his wife Firdous and three-year-old daughter Haniyah. He is currently practising in the UAE.

Prior to today’s development, a 2008 inquiry had upheld his consistent denials of any wrongdoing, and found he was innocent of the charge filed by the Australian Federal Police.