India's High Commission to New Zealand Ravi Thapar with his wife Sharmila Thapar. Photo posted to the Indian High Commission's official Facebook page
India's High Commission to New Zealand Ravi Thapar with his wife Sharmila Thapar. Photo posted to the Indian High Commission's official Facebook page
The Indian High Commissioner recalled to India after allegations about staff mistreatment has left New Zealand.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed High Commissioner Ravi Thapar left New Zealand on Monday to return to India.
It comes after a former chef at the High Commission was found inWellington distressed and taken to a night shelter. He alleged he was kept in slavery and had been assaulted by the High Commissioner's wife, Sharmila Thapar, and threatened by Mr Thapar.
Mr Thapar refused to be interviewed by Police about the matter but Mr Thapar denied the claims on Saturday and said his premature return to India was to take care of his mother rather than because he had been recalled by India over the incident. The chef was flown back to India last month and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said NZ Police had spoken to him since his return and he said he was well and happy to be home.
MFAT said it had conveyed the police request for an interview with the Thapars, but had not asked India to invoke diplomatic immunity because Police decided not to lay charges and the chef did not wish to pursue it. A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the NZ Government expected diplomatic missions in New Zealand to adhere to the standards of domestic laws. India's External Affairs Ministry said it was investigating the allegations. The Hindu reported that the ministry sent staff to New Zealand to assess the allegations after it was told of them in May and organised the return to India of the service staff member on May 28.
