LONDON JAN 9: Senior Indian diplomat questioned by the London police for allegedly beating up his wife has avoided further interrogation by claiming diplomatic immunity.
The police was called to the Golders Green home of Anil Verma, the third highest-ranking Indian diplomat in the UK, after his English neighbours heard the blood curdling screams of a woman in torment.
Details have only just emerged of how a police unit was dispatched to Verma’s home at 9.30 am last December 11 when he was repeatedly questioned about the screams. The police was unable to take follow up action because of Verma’s diplomatic status.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: “At 9.30 am on December 11, following reports of an assault at an address at Corringham Road, NW 11, a man in his 40s was spoken to officers. No arrests were made.”
Scandals of this kind are extremely rare because Indian diplomats throughout the world are usually held up as pillars of society and models of good behaviour.
In London, the only similar example of diplomatic misconduct took place more than 20 years ago when another senior Indian diplomat was beaten up by an enraged valet who accused him of interfering with his wife.
The London police is believed to be annoyed that Verma, who has the rank of Minister in charge of economic and trade issues, misused his diplomatic immunity to avoid prosecution for physical assault. It is understood that the police asked the British Foreign Office to intervene, but the UK is a signatory to the 1961 Vienna Convention under which all accredited diplomats, their wives and children are immune from prosecution in their host country.
Since 2005 some 78 other foreign diplomats have likewise avoided prosecution for all manner of offences, including sexual abuse, shop lifting and drink driving.
Patrick Mercer, an MP from the ruling Conservative Party, commented: “Violent crime is violent crime and British society has enough of it already. I believe the Foreign Office should be reviewing the issue of diplomatic immunity more vigorously.”
Asked to comment about what had happened in the Verma case, a spokeswoman for the Indian High Commission in London told The Tribune: “It has been brought to the notice of the High Commission and it is expected it will be sorted out mutually between husband and wife.”
Verma, who was born in 1965 and is the father of two sons, was assigned to London in 2009, and was previously Executive Assistant to the Minister of External Affairs. He has two masters degrees, one in economics and another in international development.
Nothing strange in the news. Visit the Indian Mission in London you will see much more. Bribes, dirty toilets and unhygenic surroundings which prevail all over India (including the smell). There is no need to visit India you can get the taste of India right there.Sumbit your papers in the morning and you will be called in the evening at 16:00 hrs. and nobody to attend till 16:30 - 17:00 hrs. Best are the diplomats , their wives and children are given jobs to fleece their country. JAI HO!!
ReplyDeleteSome of these Indian diplomats are involved with Gangsters and drug dealers and when caught claim diplomatic status. It is about time the 1961 Vienna Convention be reviewed as to many diplomats are getting away by committing criminal offences outside their countries.
ReplyDeleteThe next diplomat to be posted to UK could be the Ex disgraced Goan MLA who loves raping and beating women.
All Congress and BJP chamchas are made Diplomats and snt to enjoy their life. They should be packed in Diplomat whiskey bottles and thrown in River Mandovi. All Indian missions throught the World are useless at times when it comes to help it's citizens.
ReplyDeleteWhat Sunil has stated is absolutely right.
ReplyDeleteVisas for India are no longer issued by the High Commission as it has ben outsourced to VFS Global.However non-visa related issues are still dealt with at the High Commission.
The Visa Hall is like a cattle yard.The Toilets are really bad.The carpets have not been changed for the last 20 years or so.
The queuing starts at 5 am in the morning.There is no shelter while queuing.
There are no clear "indications" anywhere.
I thank God I no longer need to go to this place anymore for a visa as I have an OCI.I extend my sympathies to the Indians that have to visit this place to validate their documents or status etc.