India's High Commissioner to New Zealand Ravi Thapar has been called back to New Delhi following allegations that his wife assaulted their cook who claimed that he had been kept in "slavery".
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup on Saturday confirmed that the high commissioner had been posted back. He was yet to complete his 3-year term.
The ministry had sent a team to New Zealand to conduct an inquiry and the decision to call back the envoy was based on the inquiry report. Further inquiries will be conducted, the spokesperson said.
The chef alleged that he was assaulted and kept in slavery by Sharmila, the high commissioner's wife. He was taken to Wellington police station early last month when he was found wandering in a state of distress after walking around 20 kms from the diplomat's residence.
The chef later spent several nights at Wellington Night Shelter.
Thapar, however, denied that the staff member had been assaulted by his wife and said he was returning to India to take care of his mother.
"I'm going but to take care of my mother because my dad passed away last year. I can't keep up 13,000 kilometres away just talking to her on the phone," he told reporters.
He said his wife has certain medical issues and would not have assaulted anyone.
"It's very, very absurd that a lady of 50 plus with these medical issues could confront or could even think of or even conceptualise assaulting a physically able-bodied person of about 26 years old," he said.
Swarup said the issue was first brought to the ministry's notice on May 10 when one of the service staff members of the High Commission was found missing.
Swarup said the High Commission had immediately informed both New Zealand Police and Foreign Office and authorities reverted with the information that the staff member presented himself to the police on May 11 and made certain allegations.
He said the ministry takes all such cases "very seriously" and a team was deputed from headquarters to New Zealand to ascertain the facts and conduct an independent inquiry.
"The team liaised with the New Zealand authorities to resolve the matter. The team also facilitated the return of the service staff member who wanted to return to India. He returned on May 28," Swarup said.
He said though no charges were pressed by the service staff member, the ministry will investigate the matter further. The high commissioner has been posted back to headquarters," he said.
New Zealand media said Thapar is set to leave the country on Saturday and as a vehicle was seen this morning at his Wellington address.
Also, New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is aware Thapar is preparing to leave the country.
"MFAT was aware a staff member raised with New Zealand police concerns about his treatment in the high commission," a spokesman said.
"MFAT has been advised the individual concerned elected not to take the matter further. That staff member had independent legal representation and decided to return to India."
Image: Ravi Thapar and his wife Sharmila.
