NEW DELHI: High-ranking Indian diplomat Anil Verma, who allegedly assaulted his wife and embarrassed his government in Britain last month, has been recalled home.
External Affairs Ministry officials confirmed on Sunday that orders have been issued transferring him back to India. Verma, an IAS officer from the West Bengal cadre, was on deputation with the Indian Foreign Service and posted at the Indian High Commission in London as Minister (Economic).
On December 11, police were called to his London home after neighbours reported that he had beaten up his wife. He wasn’t arrested as he enjoyed diplomatic immunity and London’s Daily Mail quoted sources as saying that the British government had urged India to waive that privilege so that he could face prosecution.
When the news broke earlier this month, the External Affairs Ministry reacted with caution in New Delhi, saying the matter involved “sensitive and personal issues.’’ The latest update in Daily Mail quotes an unnamed family friend saying that the diplomat punched his wife Paromita in the face.
“She was screaming and blood was pouring from her nose like a tap.
“Her clothes were covered in blood and she grabbed a tea towel to stem the flow. Anil did not say a word to her and did not seem to care.’’ She has now reportedly gone into hiding with the couple’s five-year-old son and is seeking permission to stay on in Britain on humanitarian grounds.
According to a family friend, Verma had boasted about his diplomatic immunity to his wife.
“Call the police as many times as you want, I’ve got diplomatic immunity,’’ he reportedly said.
Recalling Verma home and reverting him to his parent cadre appeared to be the only option left for the External Affairs Ministry as it faced bad press over the episode.
Verma is likely to face an in-house probe but it’s not immediately clear if any criminal charges will be brought against him.