Bangalore, Jul 30: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has expressed happiness over Dr Haneef's return to Bangalore after being absolved of all the terror charges, slapped by the Australian authorities on him.
Kumaraswamy told that he will meet the India-born doctor at his house on Monday. He, in fact, plans to offer him a government job in a state-run hospital.
"I am very happy that Haneef, a person from Bangalore, who faced agony for over a month in Australia, has now returned home," he said.
"If he is willing to accept, I would offer him a job in one of the hospitals in Karnataka. Our state needs able doctors and Haneef is welcome to join," he told
Haneef was released from custody in Australia after the terrorism charge against him was dropped. A relaxed Mohammad Haneef flew back to India via Bangkok and was accompanied by his wife's cousin Imran Siddiqui and lawyer Peter Russo.
Whether Haneef would ever go back to Australia is big question. His visa remains canceled. Australian immigration minister, Kevin Andrews has said, “His visa has been cancelled and unless there is some overturning of that by the Federal Court, it's my indication that his visa will remain cancelled. Nothing has changed in terms of the circumstances in which I had to make a decision concerning doctor Haneef".
This remark by the Immigration Minister has evoked a sharp response from Haneef's lawyer. He says the decision to refuse Haneef a working visa will damage Australia's reputation.
Haneef’s lawyer Peter Russo who accompanied him on his India returns, said, “The minister's decision is beyond bizarre. It will mystify the great majority of Australian people. It will make overseas people very suspicious about living and working in Australia and this negative perception will take decades to erase,” said the immigration minister.
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