Karnataka - Bangalore

MLAs seek details on Haneef case In the legislature

BANGALORE: A day after the Australian police dropped terrorism-related charges against Mohammed Haneef, a doctor from Bangalore, members in the Legislative Assembly on Saturday termed the detention an insult to the Centre and the State Government.

As soon as the House assembled, Leader of the Opposition N. Dharam Singh, Vatal Nagaraj (Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha), J.C. Madhuswamy (JD-U) and Jayaprakash Hegde (independent) raised the subject of Dr. Haneef’s release and sought full information on the case. Quoting media reports, Mr. Nagaraj and Mr. Hegde said Home Minister M.P. Prakash had earlier stated that “the police are checking Dr. Haneef’s antecedents”. Mr. Prakash had provided wrong information on Dr. Haneef, Mr. Hegde said and sought details about the investigation conducted by the Bangalore police into the case.

Mr. Madhuswamy said the Australian Federal Police had filed baseless charges against the doctor and detained him to investigate his suspected links with terrorists. The Centre should condemn the Australian Government for detaining the doctor, he said.

G.V. Sriram Reddy (CPI-M) said there was no security for Indian doctors working abroad. The State Government should come out with details on the issue soon to clear all doubts in the minds of the public about Dr. Haneef’s detention. He asked the Government to explain its stance on the matter.

Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said he too was pained by the harassment of Dr. Haneef by the Australian Federal Police.

The Government was yet to get detailed information on the doctor from the Centre, he said.

Mr. Nagaraj said injustice had been done to the doctor. “The Australian Government has deceived Dr. Haneef.”

Dissatisfied with the reply provided by Mr. Yediyurappa, Mr. Nagaraj staged a walkout.

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