Ethiopian women 'willingly' accompanied armymen: govt

NEW DELHI: Government on Thursday informed the Lok Sabha that two Ethiopian women, who were caught from the residence of a senior Army official here sometime ago had 'willingly' accompanied them.

Defence Minister AK Antony said in a written reply that on March 21 two woman Ethiopian nationals were detained by the army and later handed over to the Delhi Police.

"As informed by the Army, the investigation report of Delhi Police states that two females were present at a location in Chanakyapuri. The army personnel met them and asked about their passport as also about the residence of a friend of their's who allegedly dealt in drugs.

"The girls gave the address of their friend and willingly accompanied the army personnel," the Minister said, adding the Delhi Police has registered a case against the Ethiopian nationals.

It may be recalled that the Defence Ministry had ordered a Court of Inquiry against the two personnel, including a Major, posted at Army Intelligence after two Ethiopian girls were found at their residence.

Two Ethiopian women, Samarawit (23) and Rehal (19), were picked up by the officers outside a pub in the high-security Chanakyapuri area and taken to their home located within Delhi Cantonment area, a restricted zone for foreigners.

It was on the complaint of neighbours that police arrived on the scene and found two women at the residence of the officer, working with Army Intelligence.

Samarawit and Rehal, hailing from the Ethiopian capital of Adis Ababa, were booked by the Delhi Police for overstaying in the country as their business visas had expired in December last year.