MEA seeks report on Saudi diplomat ‘rape’ case

In a shocking revelation, a diplomat posted at the Saudi Arabia embassy in India has been booked for rape charges. The diplomat has been accused of abducting and gang-raping two Nepalese women at his flat in Gurgaon. The Haryana police have registered an FIR after the Nepal embassy in India pursued the matter. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has sought a report from the Gurgaon police on the case.

Saudi Arabia’s embassy officials have denied the allegations. Seeking help from the Ministry of External Affairs, the Nepal embassy had approached the ministry to pursue the matter. “The Nepal Embassy has written to the ministry seeking cooperation and assistance,” according to official sources.

Nepal’s Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay said that it is a very sensitive matter and they were getting all the support and cooperation from MEA and police.

The police, however, have been able to verify the identity of the diplomat, who enjoys diplomatic immunity. Vienna convention deals with the privileges of a diplomatic mission and the diplomats to perform their function without fear of coercion or harassment by the host country. This forms the legal basis for diplomatic immunity.

Saudi Arabia is one of India’s most important strategic partners in West Asia and the largest supplier of oil to India. Saudi Arabia is also home to around 2.5 million-strong Indian diaspora.

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