By IANS
New Delhi : Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed Monday expressed surprise over Australian Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews's reported statement that he had more information with him regarding Bangalore doctor Muhammad Haneef.
The fact that charges against Haneef were withdrawn by the prosecutor in Australia showed that the evidence was very weak and it would not be able to face the legal test in a court of law, Ahamed said in a statement.
"If there had been additional convincing or persuasive evidence, it would have been sufficient to persuade the prosecutor not to drop the charges against Haneef," he said.
The minister reiterated that India would always stand by its citizens if they were subjected to unfair treatment abroad.
Haneef, a 27-year-old doctor from Bangalore, was held at Brisbane airport July 2 on the charge of helping those behind the failed terror plots in Britain last month. He was, however, cleared of the charge Friday and returned home Sunday.