Indian diplomat accused of wife-beating recalled

NEW DELHI - The Indian government has decided to recall diplomat Anil Verma, who is accused of beating his wife, from London as the issue was “causing embarrassment” to the country, informed sources said Sunday.

“The (external affairs) ministry has taken a serious view of the issue, which is causing embarrassment to the country,” the sources said, adding Verma, who is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, which will be sent back to his parent cadre.

Verma, the third senior-most Indian diplomat and minister (economic) at India’s High Commission, had reportedly sought immunity from prosecution after being questioned by British police over claims that he assaulted his wife in December last year. His main role is to promote trade between the two countries.

Verma is alleged to have attacked his wife after a heated argument. Officers questioned Verma but were powerless to arrest him because of his diplomatic status.

The incident occurred last month after neighbours were woken by a woman’s screams. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “At 9.30 a.m. Dec 11, following reports of an assault at an address at Corringham Road, NW11, London a man in his 40s was spoken to by officers. No arrests were made.”

According to the report, Indian officials refused to waive Verma’s immunity despite Foreign Office requests.

Meanwhile, Verma’s wife has gone into hiding with the couple’s five-year-old son, fearing for her safety, a media report said Sunday.

Paromita Verma says she is living in fear of her life and has applied for leave to remain in Britain on humanitarian grounds, the Daily Mail reported.

Paromita is now separated from her husband after moving out of their home amid fears that she would be forcibly taken back to India.