Dr Mohammed Haneef to sue Australian govt

The Indian doctor, Mohammed Haneef, who was wrongly charged in connection with terror attacks in Britain, sued the Australian government on Thursday for unlawful arrest and abuse of power.

He has launched the legal proceeding against his arrest and two-week detention without charge through his Australian lawyers.

Haneef would visit Brisbane in December along with his wife and daughter for mediation session as one of the final steps in his bid to secure a compensation for his ordeal. He has also expressed the desire to relocate to Australia and start working again.

“Working in Australia has always been a pleasure as during the course of events in the past, I have been very thankful and grateful to the Australian people for the support rendered towards me. There would definitely be nervousness, but I am eager to see how I would be greeted there,” he said over the telephone.

Haneef was incorrectly linked to the militants responsible for the failed June 2007 car bombings in the UK. His visa was cancelled on character grounds hours after he was granted bail.

The proceedings have been filed on behalf of Haneef to protect his legal rights with regard to the time limit which applies to various legal actions, said a spokesperson of Maurice Blackburn, the firm handling Haneef’s case.
Legal action followed a 2008 inquiry into the handling of Haneef’s case, which found he was wrongfully charged and victimised, prompting a sweeping review of anti-terror laws.

Retired judge John Clarke had cleared the government of improper behaviour or political motivation in pursuing the case against Haneef.