Haneef's cousin leaves for Australia

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed on Saturday said that the Indian government will help any person abroad who gets into "unfortunate situations" like Dr Mohammed Haneef.

Haneef is detained in Australia for his alleged link in the London terror plot.

Ahmed, who is in Bangalore, also urged the people not to treat the issue as a political one and added it is a legal issue. He also said it is the duty of the government to protect people who get into trouble abroad and also added the Indian government is committed in its cause.

Asked whether he would meet brothers Sabeel and Kafeel's family, he said, "I am not going to meet anyone. If the family wants to meet me, I shall not refuse. The Indian government is even ready to provide a counselor for Dr Sabeel Ahmed if required. Sabeel is the other doctor from Bangalore arrested in the United Kingdom for his alleged role in the UK terror plot. His brother Kafeel, according to the British police, is the engineer who drove a flaming vehicle into the Glasgow airport.

The minister further said that Haneef is in good health and is doing fine.

He said the Indian officials in Melbourne had met him and conveyed that he is doing fine. He also said that Haneef's wife had requested him to help her cousin get a visa done so that he could travel to Australia. The minister said that the government had extended help in this regard also.

Imran Siddique, a relative of Dr Haneef Mohammad left for Australia on Saturday after his visa had been approved.

His role would be to assist Haneef and his lawyer in Australia. Haneef's wife who was initially supposed to go to Australia had to stay back after the Australian government cancelled her visa.

She told rediff.com that Imran who is her cousin would not find it difficult in Australia as he has travelled abroad several times. She said he would provide assistance to both the lawyer and her husband.

She also thanked the Indian government for helping her cousin get the visa approved and also for the support it had shown to her during the time of crisis.