Indian envoy's wife, family can't stay: Britain

The wife of an Indian diplomat, who had reportedly sought asylum in the United Kingdom after allegedly being assaulted by her husband, has to leave the country along with her family, the British Foreign Office said on Wednesday.

Paromita Verma, the wife of Anil Verma had reportedly asked for permission to stay back in the country claiming that her life was threatened, after the Scotland Yard questioned the senior diplomat in connection with the case.

Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Wednesday said it has sent a note verbale to the Indian High Commission on Tuesday acknowledging the Indian government's decision to transfer Verma back to Delhi, noting that Verma and his dependents are required to leave the UK.

The Indian government has transferred Verma back to Delhi and had requested the FCO to facilitate the early return of the family after Britain said it wants India to either waive Verma's diplomatic immunity or take action against him under Indian laws.

An FCO spokesperson said, "We can confirm that, in a letter dated January 13, we formally requested the waiver of diplomatic immunity for a diplomat posted at the Indian High Commission in London". "In a note verbale sent to the Indian High Commission on January 18 we have acknowledged the Indian government's decision to transfer Verma back to Delhi and noted that Verma and his dependents are required to leave the UK," he added.

Asked to comment on reports that Verma's wife Paromita had sought asylum in the UK fearing that her life is in danger if she returned to India, a home office spokeswoman said, "We do not comment on individual asylum application".

 The Indian High Commission on January 17, 2011 informed the FCO through a note verbale that a decision has been taken by the Government of India to transfer Verma and his family to India. It sought assistance of the FCO to facilitate their early return.

Verma, a senior Indian Administrative Service officer of West Bengal cadre, joined the High Commission in London as minister (economic) on August 24, 2009. He was accompanied by his wife, two sons now aged 19 and five years, Paromita's mother, and a service staff.
Paromita is an employee of the Indian Railways, and is in London on paid study leave for two years.