Australia orders judicial probe in to Haneef case

The Australian government has announced to scrutinise the failed investigation case against Indian Doctor Mohammad Haneef to restore the public confidence in Australia’s Anti-terrorism law. The former New South Wales Supreme Court Justice John Clark would review the case, as informed Robert McClelland, the Attorney General of Australia on Thursday.

Keeping the promise to review the case filed against Dr. Haneef for wrongly accusing him in the failed bomb attack case at Glasgow Airport, London last year, the government has ordered to re-examine the case that had fated Australia’s Anti-Terrorism law and Australian Federal Police.

Before election, party president Mike Rann had promised to public to scan the false accusing case against Dr. Haneef.

John Clarke will also be quashed to former immigration minister Kevin Andrew for cancelling Haneef’s visa and ordering AFP to re-detain him from Brisbane airport when he was boarding a flight to return India after getting bail and permission to return his native country from the hearing Magistrate.

Kevin Andrew had cancelled the working Visa of Dr. Haneef within few hours and Police had arrested him under violating the immigration law. Later, Haneef could able to get the bail and could return Bangalore, India.

The case is technically still in progress. Several prosecutors relating this case and AFP officials including AFP commissioner Mick Keelty will also come under scanner of John Clarke for making clarification in the case.

Both Mick Keelty and Andrew has pledged to support completely to Clarke, but Andrew has indicated to not to be ‘apologise’ for his act as he stated that he had done on the basis of available evidence and as per the interpretation of law that was assessed at that time. What I had done was in the interest of Australian society and nation.

McClelland has informed to media that John can also visit to India for questioning to Dr. Haneef, if he is forbidden to return Australia for continuing his practice.

John Clarke has been directed to submit the report maximum by September 30, 2008.

Earlier, Dr. Haneef (27) was charged with having nexus to a terrorist organisation and to provide his SIM card to his cousin Sabeel Ahmed, who was the prime accused in plotting bomb at Glasgow airport in London. Though the conspiracy of the blast could not succeed but Dr. Haneef was apprehended on July 02 in the suspect of providing bomb plot to the terrorist. His SIM card was also unearthed there. Dr. Haneef, working at Gold Coast Hospital, was put behind the bar and remained there till 12 days. He was granted bail on July 16 and returned India on July 18, 2007.

The analysts and experts of the global affairs are looking this case from the political angle because the move of dissecting the case might regain the fame of Australian anti-terrorist law and can also portray a positive image of Labor Party and Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd.

In the response of re-examining the case, Peter Russo, the defences advocate on the basis of conversation between his client Dr. Haneef and him, informed the media that his client is happy with the move of Australian government and ready to render full cooperation to investigating officer.