Britain forced India's hand to take back diplomat

From a note to the media on Tuesday evening from the Indian High Commission in London, it has emerged that the government of India’s hand was forced by the British government in withdrawing one of its most senior diplomats here, alleged to have assaulted his wife in the second week of December 2010.

According to the press note issued here yesterday, the government of India had originally intended Anil Verma, minister (economic) and his wife Paromita to undergo counselling in India for a period of 3-4 weeks, settle their differences and then return to active duty in London.

However, this decision had to be reversed after the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the UK wrote to the High Commission here, seeking the waiver of Verma’s diplomatic immunity or withdrawing him and his dependents from the UK. Waiver of diplomatic immunity would have given the British authorities a free hand to investigate the incident and prosecute Verma if found guilty of the alleged assault charges.

The note from the High Commission said, “It was conveyed to Mr & Mrs Verma that it was best if they proceeded to India on home leave at the earliest for 3-4 weeks and made an attempt to sort out their differences and then return.” This decision was taken around January 3, 2011.

However on January 13, FCO wrote to the High Commission requesting waiver of Verma’s diplomatic immunity. “The note (from FCO) further stated that failure to waive Mr Verma’s immunity will result in an immediate request for Mr Verma and his dependents to be withdrawn from the UK.”

On January 17, the High Commission informed the FCO that a decision had been taken by the government of India to transfer Verma and his family to India.

In all, five weeks had lapsed between the alleged assault incident at Verma’s residence and the decision to permanently withdraw him and his family from Britain.

Anil Verma had joined his diplomatic assignment in August 2009 and came to London with his wife and two sons and his mother-in-law. In December, in a domestic row over a Christmas tree, Verma is alleged to have attacked his wife, giving her a bloody nose. According to media reports, her cry for help forced neighbours to call the police. However Verma claimed diplomatic immunity, which brought the Indian High Commission into the picture.

When the incident became public in January, local media reports also claimed that senior diplomats with the High Commission berated and threatened Paromita Verma from making the issue any worse than what it was already. The High Commission has denied any such claims.

“The Ministry of External Affairs has taken a serious view in the matter. The matter has been looked into actively and with all the seriousness that it deserves. There is no question of condoning domestic violence which is totally unacceptable. Once the officer returns to India, the matter will be thoroughly investigated and acted upon appropriately. The laws of the land would take care of any acts that need to be taken care of, consequent to the enquiry,” the note from the High Commission said.