Question : DETENTION OF INDIANS ABROAD

(a)     whether some Indians living abroad have recently been questioned/arrested for alleged terrorist acts/links;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) the reaction of the Government thereto;

(d) whether their visas have been cancelled by the respective countries;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f)     the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) Yes.

(b) Dr. Mohammed Haneef was detained in Australia on 2nd July 2007 in connection with an attempted terrorist bombing attack in UK on 29-30 June 2007. Mr. Sabeel Ahmed was held in UK in connection with the same bombing attack.

(c) The Government took up the matter with the Governments of Australia and UK and requested for ‘fair and just’ treatment under the local laws. The Government also constantly monitored the cases and the concerned Indian Missions abroad secured consular access. A team of officials from our High Commission in London met Mr. Sabeel Ahmed on 30th July 2007. The Australian Government dropped the criminal charges against Dr. Mohammed Haneef and Dr. Haneef returned to India on July 29, 2007.

(d)-(f) The visa of Dr. Haneef was cancelled. With the dropping of charges, Dr. Haneef has filed a legal suit for restoration of his visa. The High Commission of India in Australia also approached the Australian Government for restoration of his visa.