The Saudi Arabian diplomat charged with confinement and rape of two Nepalese women, has left the country.
We have learnt that the first secretary Majed Hassan Ashoor who was allegedly accused of raping two Nepalese women has left India. The first secretary being a diplomat is governed by the provision of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations.
– Vikas Swaroop, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs
It is learnt that the MEA had put pressure on the Saudi Embassy to allow the questioning of the diplomat given the gravity of the allegations in the case involving confinement and rape of the two women.
In a story published earlier, The Quint had reported that the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963, states that while diplomats posted in consulates get immunity, they can be prosecuted in case of serious crimes.
Consular officers shall not be liable to arrest or detention pending trial, except in the case of a grave crime and pursuant to a decision by the competent judicial authority.
— Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963
The diplomat in question, had remained untraceable since Monday and a former Ambassador to Nepal, Deb Mukherjee had told The Quint, that he would attempt to leave the country.
As a diplomat he has immunity so he cannot be proceeded against unless his government of his origin waives his diplomatic immunity only then can he be proceeded against. What normally happens in such cases is that the person concerned leaves the country very quickly.
– Deb Mukherjee, Former Ambassador to Nepal
The incident that had caused a strain in bilateral ties between strategic partners Saudi Arabia and India has now been complicated further.
The fact that the diplomat left the country without the knowledge of Indian authorities is a big embarrassment. To add to that, the Saudi Embassy did not allow the diplomat to be questioned by Indian authorities and identify others who had been accused of raping the maids, these persons may or may not have been diplomats.
The statute from the Vienna convention clearly states that diplomatic immunity can be revoked in the case of a grave crime, what waits to be seen is how India takes up the matter with the Saudis, and how they respond.
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