Indian Govt. says action against wife-beating diplomat will be taken as per law

NEW DELHI - India on Tuesday made it clear that appropriate action will be taken against diplomat Anil Verma, who faces allegations of wife-beating under the laws of the land.

“Mr. Verma and members of his family have been transferred back to the headquarters, they will be returning soon, once Verma returns the matter would be investigated thoroughly and appropriate action will be taken under the laws of land,” Ministry of External Affairs Official Spokesperson Vishnu Prakash told reporters.

“There is no question of condoning domestic violence, which is unacceptable once the officer is back the matter will be investigated and acted upon appropriately” he added.

Anil Verma, a 1986 IAS officer of West Bengal cadre, who is Minister (Economic) in the Indian High Commission in Britain, is alleged to have attacked his wife after a heated argument last month, and used diplomatic immunity to evade police action for the crime.

Last week, Britain had asked India to waive Verma’s diplomatic immunity, saying it ‘does not tolerate envoys working in the UK breaking the law’.

According to Ministry of External Affairs, Indian High Commission in London, which has responsibility towards the welfare and well being of officers and members of their family has encouraged both Verma and his wife to sort out the marital issue.

Anil Verma’s transfer technically also means that his wife and children, who were issued diplomatic passport, are also supposed to return along with him. However, there is no onfirmation that they are coming back together.

According to UK media reports, Verma ’s wife along with their five-year child has gone into hiding fearing a threat to their lives.

“Ministry of External Affairs has taken a serious view in the matter and it has been looked into actively and all the seriousness that it deserves,” said Vishnu Prakash. (ANI)