India takes up molestation case with Bahraini authorities

NEW DELHI: India has discussed the case of molestation allegedly involving a Bahraini diplomat in Mumbai with his government, which has given the assurance of looking into his conduct after his return to the home country shortly on completion of tenure.

The diplomat Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Khaja was booked in Mumbai earlier this week for allegedly molesting the woman manager of his housing society but was not arrested due to the diplomatic immunity enjoyed by him.

According to official sources, the matter was referred by the External Affairs Ministry, which after internal deliberations involving protocol and legal divisions, discussed the case with Bahraini authorities keeping in view the immunity to counselor officials under the Vienna Convention.

Bahrain said it would look into the conduct of the diplomat who is leaving the country shortly at the end of his tenure, the sources said.

Mumbai Police had yesterday said a case has been registered against Consul General of Bahrain, Khaja, for allegedly molesting and verbally abusing the manager of the south Mumbai society on December 9.

In her complaint, the 49-year-old housing society manager alleged that Khaja had lost his cool after one of the elevators of the building was shut for repairs on that day.

He was slamming the doors of the elevator when she saw him and requested him to maintain his calm as the elevator was under repair. However, Khaja did not stop and even ransacked her office in a fit of rage, police said quoting the complainant.

The victim also alleged that Khaja had touched her and used abusive language during the commotion, police said.

She approached the Malabar Hill police which conducted a preliminary inquiry and registered a complaint.

Khaja has been booked under sections 354 (molestation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code.