The diplomat from Bahrain, against whom the Mumbai Police have registered two cases, has left for Manama.
Bahrain officials in New Delhi said Consul-General in Mumbai Abdulaziz Al Khaja has been recalled as prima facie his conduct was not in keeping with the office he was holding. Disciplinary action will be taken against him, commensurate with the gravity of the case.
On Saturday, a second case was registered against Mr. Khaja. This appears to have hastened his exit, for the original intention was to recall him in the coming days.
The second case was for allegedly abusing and threatening the woman manager of the housing society in which he stays. Earlier this month, the manager had lodged a case of molestation against Mr. Khaja with Mumbai’s Malabar Hill police station. The police, however, did not arrest him as he enjoys diplomatic immunity.
After the first complaint, the Mumbai police sent necessary documents to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to initiate action against Mr. Khaja. “We handle such cases promptly and in an appropriate manner, mindful of both our rights and obligations under the Vienna Convention,” said a MEA official, contrasting this incident with the way the U.S. handled the case against Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade on charges of visa fraud and underpayment of her housekeeper.
According to the latest complaint, the diplomat came to the society’s office on the afternoon of Thursday; while talking to the society’s chairman, he allegedly pointed a finger at the manager who was present, used abusive language and threatened to kill her. “It is likely that the diplomat was angry because of the earlier complaint filed by the manager,” said a Mumbai police officer.
As per the earlier complaint, Mr. Khaja lost his cool after one of the elevators of the building was shut for repairs on December 9. When the manager tried to pacify him, he allegedly touched and threatened her. The police have given her security after the first incident.
Officials in Delhi drew a contrast between India not arresting the Bahraini diplomat even after the first FIR was filed and the news reached the media. Soon after learning of the incident, New Delhi promptly got in touch with the Bahrain mission. It also allowed Bahrain to take action it considered appropriate.
On the other hand, the U.S. did not communicate with India on the Khobragade case, though New Delhi had been updating the State Department all the time. The U.S. also arranged for the maid’s family to fly out using tax privileges meant only for embassy personnel.
