Diplomat transferred from London after wife-beating charges

New Delhi, Jan 16 (PTI) Senior London-based Indian
diplomat Anil Verma, accused of assaulting his wife, has been
transferred back home with immediate effect and is likely to
face action.
Verma, a 1986-batch IAS officer of the West Bengal
cadre and third-ranked diplomat in the Indian High Commission,
found himself in trouble when his wife covered in blood was
found screaming by neighbours on December 11.
When the police arrived, 45-year-old Verma, Minister
(Economic) in the Indian mission, claimed diplomatic immunity
and escaped action.
Sources said Verma has been transferred to Delhi with
immediate effect and may face action which will be based on
the findings of the probe into the allegations of assault
against him.
In London, when contacted about MEA's directive, the
Indian High Commission said, "at this stage, we have no
comment to make". Verma was not available for comments.
Verma allegedly attacked his wife after a heated
argument last month, Daily Mail had reported.
A British daily on Sunday reported that Verma's wife,
Paromita was found screaming with blood coming out of her
nose. Her clothes were covered in blood and she had grabbed a
tea towel to stem the flow.
The 'Daily Mail' also reported that Paromita has gone
into hiding with her five-year-old son as she fears for her
life. She left the home soon after the incident and has not
returned since then.
"Throughout their time over here, Anil would boast
about his diplomatic immunity and he would tell Paromita that
no one could touch him because of it. He would goad her and
say, 'Call the police as many times as you want. I've got
diplomatic immunity'.
"He was shameless with it. He has been given so much
power and he is abusing it. Paromita has gone into hiding and
seriously fears that her safety and health are in jeopardy,"
a close family friend of the Vermas was quoted by the British
newspaper as saying.
Paromita, who is working with Indian Railways and is
on study leave, wants to remain in the UK on humanitarian
grounds amid fears that she would be forcibly taken back to
India. She has now sought extention of leave, a the daily
said.
Verma is the third senior-most in the Indian mission
after the High Commissioner and the Deputy High Commissioner.