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Swiss embassy calls off Diwali celebrations

By Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
Last updated on: October 21, 2003 22:56 IST
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The Swiss embassy has called off its Diwali celebrations in the aftermath of the sexual assault on one of its officials on October 14.

The embassy hosted a small programme with Akshay Pratishthan, a non-government organisation, at the Ashoka Hotel on Saturday last, but both the embassy office and the NGO would not comment on what the programme was.

All Diwali programmes planned on the embassy premises have been called off and an official, who did not wish to be identified, confirmed it was because of the October 14 incident.

The Swiss diplomat was abducted in her car from the Siri Fort auditorium as she stepped out after watching a film at the International Film Festival of India.

The rapist's accomplice drove the car around as the diplomat was brutally assaulted by a middle-aged man she has described as 'well-dressed and suave.'

The duo later abandoned her at the Safdarjung Enclave.

She has since returned to her country and the Delhi police are in touch with her over the Internet.

Ministry of External Affairs sources said the government apprehends that the matter would be raised by the Swiss president during his six-day India visit, which commences in the first week of November.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Vivek Gogia briefs Swiss Ambassador Walter B Gyger regularly on the progress made in the investigations, and MEA sources said the latter has made no secret of his displeasure over the lack any major headway in the case.

Also see: 10 suspects picked up in Swiss diplomat's rape case

 

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Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi