Under attack from civil rights groups and political parties, the Australian government sought to distance itself from the legal fiasco and its fallout.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who had stoutly defended the police and prosecution all along, on Friday said Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty and DPP Chief Bugg were responsible for the handling of the case.
"I think that the right thing now is for those two men to explain the process and the reasons," he said in the Indonesian resort of Bali, adding, "prime ministers don't conduct prosecutions, nor do Attorneys General. Directors of Public Prosecutions do."
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer also sought to distance the government from the case, claiming no damage has been caused to the ties with India.
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said it is regrettable that charges were ever laid against Haneef, but he will not apologise to the Indian doctor. "I certainly regret that in the course of this investigation the DPP formed a particular view and a later point in time reconsidered that view,' he said.
DPP Chief Bugg admitted to reporters in Canberra that 'mistakes were embarrassing. You are embarrassed if you do something wrong.' He said he was disappointed that it happened and the first thing he will do next week is to find out how it happened.
However, Bugg refused to step down over the issue.
"I don't think I have done anything wrong....to resign when the task I have just performed is still open, is stupid...I would rather stay around."
AFP Commissioner Keelty accepted the DPP's decision to drop the case but he insisted there was still sufficient reason to support the decision to revoke Haneef's visa on character grounds. He said the AFP acted on the advice of the DPP when it charged Haneef on July 13 and now accepted the decision by the DPP to withdrew the charge. He refused to rule out further charges against Haneef, saying the investigation was on with cooperation from British police.
Haneef's cousin Siddiqi said he should be allowed to go on his free will and not deported. "I don't want a black mark so that he can travel freely wherever he wants to."
Haneef's lawyer Russo said he was pleased with the decision of the DPP but disappointed that the visa was not immediately reinstated. "Dr Haneef had shown great grace and patience throughout the past few weeks and we know that he will continue to show the same patience and tolerance in the days to come," he said.
Image: Protestors rally outside the Brisbane Magistrates Court.
Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
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