Academicians condemn alleged rape by Saudi diplomat

NEW DELHI: Condemning the alleged rape of two Nepalese women by a Saudi diplomat, a group of academicians have demanded that an FIR be filed against him and his diplomatic immunity be waived if found guilty.

"Diplomatic immunity is a privilege given to diplomats according to which they cannot be arrested or detained. This kind of privilege is given to them so as to allow them to work freely in the country in which they are posted.

"However, this immunity is not available if the diplomat is charged for a serious offence ie when warrant is issued. In the present case, only the FIR is filed in which the accused Saudi Diplomat is not named," Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA) said in a statement.

The group includes academicians including IGNOU pro-Vice Chancellor Sushma Yadav and professors from universities across Delhi, noted mountaineer Santosh Yadav and few advocates.

"We demand that the Police Commissioner apart from lodging FIR, must investigate the matter thoroughly and take necessary steps to punish the said diplomat. Also, the immunity of the Saudi Diplomat must be waived if found guilty," it added.

The two Nepalese women have alleged that they were confined and raped by the diplomat and his "guests" repeatedly in a flat in Gurgaon on the outskirts of the national capital.

They were rescued by Gurgaon police after intervention of an NGO following which an FIR was registered in the matter but no one has been named in it.