The Hindu : Front Page : Judicial probe into bungling in Haneef case

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Saturday, Dec 22, 2007
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Judicial probe into bungling in Haneef case

Melbourne: Bangalore medico Mohamed Haneef is pleased to have been exonerated by the Federal Court of Australia of terror charges in connection with the failed U.K. car bombings, but is yet to decide whether to return to this country, his lawyer Peter Russo said on Friday.

Earlier in the day, the court restored Dr. Haneef’s work visa and directed that the litigation costs be paid to him.

Dr. Haneef (27), who spent nearly four weeks in custody after his arrest from the Brisbane airport on July 2 when he attempted to board a flight to India, challenged the cancellation of his work visa.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans said a full judicial inquiry into the handling of the Haneef case would go into how the “bungled situation occurred in the first place.”

“Clearly there’s a whole range of issues that are cause of public commentary and concern, ranging from the behaviour of a former [John] Howard government minister to concerns about the AFP [Australian Federal Police] investigation.”

Dr. Haneef, who returned to India on July 29 and is now on pilgrimage to Mecca, insisted that his legal battle was aimed at clearing his name.

“Double Eid”

“It is a double Eid for us today,” Ashfaq Ahmed, father-in-law of Dr. Haneef, said in Bangalore.

Mr. Russo said he would now fly to India, if necessary, to convince Dr. Haneef’s family that he should resume his medical career in Australia.

He said Dr. Haneef’s wife Firdous had some concerns about allowing her husband to return, following his treatment at the hands of Australian authorities. — PTI

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