Karnataka CM offers Haneef a government job

GREETING WITH OPEN ARMS: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is likely to offer Dr Haneef a job.

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New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has expressed happiness over Dr Haneef's return to Bangalore after being absolved of all the terror charges, slapped by the Australian authorities on him.

Kumaraswamy told CNN-IBN that he will meet the India-born doctor at his house on Monday. He, in fact, plans to offer him a government job in a state-run hospital.

"I am very happy that Haneef, a person from Bangalore, who faced agony for over a month in Australia, has now returned home," he said.

"If he is willing to accept, I would offer him a job in one of the hospitals in Karnataka. Our state needs able doctors and Haneef is welcome to join," he told CNN-IBN.

Haneef was released from custody in Australia after the terrorism charge against him was dropped. A relaxed Mohammad Haneef flew back to India via Bangkok and was accompanied by his wife's cousin Imran Siddiqui and lawyer Peter Russo.

Whether Haneef would ever go back to Australia is big question. His visa remains canceled. Australian immigration minister, Kevin Andrews has said, “His visa has been cancelled and unless there is some overturning of that by the Federal Court, it's my indication that his visa will remain cancelled. Nothing has changed in terms of the circumstances in which I had to make a decision concerning doctor Haneef".

This remark by the Immigration Minister has evoked a sharp response from Haneef's lawyer. He says the decision to refuse Haneef a working visa will damage Australia's reputation.

Haneef’s lawyer Peter Russo who accompanied him on his India returns, said, “The minister's decision is beyond bizarre. It will mystify the great majority of Australian people. It will make overseas people very suspicious about living and working in Australia and this negative perception will take decades to erase,” said the immigration minister.

Indian doctor Mohammed Haneef finally reached his home in Bangalore on July 29. However his journey from Brisbane to Bangalore wasn’t easy.
	On July 2nd, he was detained at Brisbane airport for allegedly helping terror suspects in the foiled UK terror plot. His detention was extended twice.
	On 13th of July, he told investigators that he is not a terrorist and is an innocent pawn.
	But still on the very next day on July 14, the Australian police charged Haneef with recklessly supporting a terrorist organisation.
	Matters became worse when Australia cancelled his visa on July 16.
	After a couple of days, on 18th, Haneef was moved from Brisbane watch-house to a nearby remand centre.
	The turning point came on July 20, when the Australian police admited that crucial evidence against Haneef is incorrect.
	Then on July 24th, he met his relative in prison. Within 3 days, on 27 of the month, the Australian police dropped all charges against Haneef.
	On July 29th, Dr Mohd Haneef is finally freed after spending 26 days behind bars.