By Neena Bhandari, IANS
Sydney : Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the government will institute an inquiry into the failed case of Indian doctor Muhammad Haneef, back home in Bangalore after charges of terrorism against him were dropped and his visa cancelled.
The Australian Labour Party had committed to a judicial inquiry into Haneef’s case prior to the federal election.
“What we’re on about is establishing the facts. We want to make sure that with these tough anti-terrorism laws that we’ve got in Australia that we’ve got the proper institutional arrangements necessary for their enforcement and the proper checks and balances as well,” Rudd told reporters in Brisbane,
According to the Australian Associated Press, Rudd denied the government was “raking over the coals” and said the inquiry was necessary to ensure anti-terrorism legislation was kept accountable.
The government is seeking advice on how to conduct an official investigation.
On Dec 1, incoming attorney general Robert McClelland had said there would be a broader investigation into the doctor’s case.
The Australian Federal Police, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and former immigration minister Kevin Andrews have all drawn flak for the embarrassing faux pas in the failed case of the former Gold Coast registrar who was incarcerated for three weeks after being charged with supporting a terrorist organisation by “recklessly” giving his mobile phone SIM card to people planning the London and Glasgow bomb.
The charges were later dropped and Haneef returned to his family in Bangalore after Andrews cancelled his 457 work visa.
Haneef’s legal team is continuing the legal battle to have his visa reinstated. His lawyer Peter Russo is keen for a proper conclusion to the Federal Court appeal lodged by the former government against the decision to return Haneef’s visa.