Indian diplomat accused of beating his wife transferred

Mtoday news

New Delhi, Jan 17:  Questioned by the London police for allegedly assaulting his wife last month, the Indian government has finally acted and called diplomat Anil Verma back home.

Sources said that Verma has been transferred back to India immediately and may now face action here.

 

 

An IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre, Anil Verma is the third senior-most diplomat and Minister (economic) in the Indian High Commission in the UK.

When he was questioned by the police, Verma had invoked diplomatic immunity which the Indian government refused to waive after a request from the UK.

Instead, sources say he will face action under Indian laws, a situation which is likely since his wife has filed a formal complaint with police in London that could include departmental action by the Ministry of Personnel and even a criminal case.

But critics say diplomatic immunity is often misused and should be set aside in serious cases.

Lord Meghnad Desai, MP, British Parliament said, "There has been a proposal to change the rules as it puts people above the law."

Meanwhile, a report in the Daily Mail says Verma’s wife, Paromita has moved out with her five-year-old son over fears for her safety.

"Throughout their time over here, Anil would boast about his diplomatic immunity and he would tell Paromita that no one could touch him because of it. He would goad her and say, ’Call the police as many times as you want. I’ve got diplomatic immunity’.

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

Paromita has also applied for leave to remain in the UK on humanitarian grounds.

She works with the Railways Ministry and is currently on study leave.