The Hindu : Front Page : Haneef back in Bangalore

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Monday, Jul 30, 2007
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Haneef back in Bangalore

Karnataka Bureau

Emotional scenes as he steps into his home

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

End of an ordeal: Mohammed Haneef arrives at the Bangalore airport on Sunday night.

BANGALORE: “It’s an emotional moment for me to be back with my family after a long and traumatic detention of 27 days. I was victimised by the Australian Federal Police through [a] drama played by them,” said Dr. Mohammad Haneef, after a tumultuous welcome at his home in BTM Layout, Bangalore, and before that at the Bangalore airport, on Sunday night.

“I would like to thank my family, [the] Government of India and the Indian High Commissioner in Australia, Prabhat Shukla, and all his officials. I also thank Peter Russo and his legal team in Australia; my supporters in India, Australia and all over the world. I thank the media, and also, last but not the least, the star of the proceedings, my brother Imran Siddiqui, who has united me with my family, my wife and my daughter. I thank my God, my Allah, all praise be to Him, all glory be to Him.” This was all that a tired but still cheerful Dr. Haneef could tell the media, reading from a prepared statement.

It had been a long day. Starting from Brisbane, Dr. Haneef and his party broke journey at Bangkok and took another flight to Bangalore.

The family has called a press conference at 4 p.m. on Monday.

Media crush

The scene at the Haneef residence was chaotic with hundreds of journalists (including a large contingent from Australia), family and friends congregating there. Dr. Haneef’s wife Firdous Arshiya, dressed in a flowered salwar kameez, was among those who waited anxiously for him to arrive. His arrival from the airport was delayed as he had to drop off Mr. Russo at Hotel Ashok and then offer a special prayer of thanksgiving at the Medina Mosque in BTM layout.

Dr. Haneef, who had held up remarkably well through his long flight and the many interviews en route, broke down as he approached his residence and had to compose himself before he could enter the house.

“Show me my son,” his mother said as she came forward to greet him after his brief interaction with the media. Earlier, Dr. Haneef arrived at the Bangalore airport by a Thai Airways flight.

“I am happy to be here. I am eager to meet my daughter,” was all he said to the waiting media.

A big police posse had virtually extricate him from and usher him into a waiting Sports Utility Vehicle. The drizzle and the usual peak-hour traffic at the airport added to the chaos.

The flight carrying Dr. Haneef, Mr. Russo and Mr. Siddiqui touched down at 9.25 p.m.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy told The Hindu on Sunday night that the Karnataka Government would offer Dr. Haneef the post of a senior government surgeon. “The government is happy to welcome Dr. Haneef back home after the or deal he went through. I am personally happy that he has arrived safely. I will call on him at his residence on Monday.”

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