Saudi Arabian diplomat accused of rape leaves India

The Saudi Arabian diplomat, who was charged with confinement and rape of two Nepalese women, on Wednesday night 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," spokesperson in External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swaroop said.

"The first secretary being a diplomat is governed by the provision of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations," Swaroop added.

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, following which Saudi Arabia decided to withdraw the diplomat.

On September 7, Gurgaon Police had conducted a raid at the diplomat's residence after receiving a complaint that the two Nepalese women were kept there in confinement and raped by the diplomat and his "guests" repeatedly.

The Saudi Embassy termed the allegations as "false" and protested the police "intrusion" into the diplomat's house saying it was against "all diplomatic conventions".

The External Affairs Ministry had called in Saudi Arabian Ambassador Saud Mohammed Alsati last Thursday and told him that the accused diplomat should cooperate in the probe into the case.

But it did not get any response despite being in touch with the mission officials here for at least a week, sources said.

During the impasse, the diplomat along with his family has shifted to the Saudi Embassy. The two Nepalese women have already gone back to their country.

There were also reports that NSA Ajit Doval had a hand in resolving the issue without damaging the bilateral ties.

Meanwhile, Nepal's Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay said he would check the details with the Ministry of External Affairs.

"I have also just got this notice (news) from the media," he said, adding "he will check the details with the MEA".

"You know all the three countries- Saudi Arabia, Nepal and India have very friendly relations among the governments, among the people that's why it is a very sensitive thing," Upadhyay told to private news channels.

The ambassador thanked the media and the people here for their support.

"It is a very shameful crime and the victims should get justice, no doubt about that. We are very thankful to the media, thankful to the communities here for their support in favour of the victims," he said.

Upadhyay also praised the MEA and Gurgaon police.

"I think the government of India specifically the MEA has played good role and specially the Gurgaon police has done very in depth primary investigations."

"Our ministry in Kathmandu is very serious about this case...I hope there will be both kind of work – investigation and jurisdiction by the court. Whatever may be the outcome, everyone has to honour it."

The ambassador said that there may be around one million plus Nepalese expats working in Saudi Arabia.

"The next thing is the diplomatic relations and under these circumstances what we can do on our own to specially provide justice for the victim, we will do," he said.

He further said that the victims are safe and "regarding their health also they are been take care of."

"If the police need their support for further investigation, they will come to India," Upadhyay added.

Image: Demonstrators from the All India Democratic Women's Association shout slogans and hold placards during a protest outside Saudi Arabia’s embassy last week in New Delhi. Photograph: Anindito Mukherjee/Reuters