India calls in Saudi envoy for cooperation in rape probe

India on Thursday called in the Saudi ambassador here to seek his cooperation in the police investigation being carried out into allegations of rape levelled against a senior Saudi diplomat by two Nepalese women.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted that: "MEA Chief of Protocol called in Saudi Amb today, conveyed request of Haryana Police for cooperation of Embassy in the case of 2 Nepali citizens."

It has been learnt that the senior Saudi diplomat accused of rape, reported to be a First Secretary, has not left India, said sources. Informed sources said the government has been told that the Saudi embassy had assured that it will fully cooperate in the investigations.

The Saudi embassy has denied the rape charges as "not proven" and also deplored the "unwarranted media briefing before investigations are complete" and also protested against the police barging into the diplomat's house "against all diplomatic convention".

The Indian request for cooperation in the probe came even as a group of women activists held a protest outside the Saudi embassy here.

About 60 members of the All India Women's Democratic Association (AIWDA) on Thursday protested outside the Saudi Arabian embassy and demanded that the Saudi diplomat's immunity be revoked and legal action taken against him.

According to a police complaint filed here on Tuesday, two Nepalese women alleged that they were raped by a Saudi diplomat and also by his friends and guests. They also alleged that his wife and daughter harassed them and beat them.

A team of four doctors here conducted a second medical examination of the two Nepalese women. The doctors conducted the second test on Wednesday following a request by the case investigating officer.

Gurgaon police, in its latest report sent to the ministry of external affairs on Thursday, has presented all the facts that have come forth in the investigation so far.