He appeared from nowhere and within no time, during his short trip to Australia, managed to get his cousin’s husband, Dr Mohammed Hannef, detained under terror charge there, released.

Not just that, Imran Siddique also got him back to Bangalore, along with Haneef’s Australian lawyer Peter Russo. Not an ordinary victory. The trio, accompanied with an Australian Immigration officer travelled in first class on tickets bought by the Australian government!

Imran Siddique, an MBA from England and a strategic analyst in business management, in an exclusive interview with Deccan Herald spoke about Haneef and how he managed his release. Excerpts:

Why did the Australian authorities buy tickets for you all?

I don’t know. On July 28, three hours before the flight, they told us that we could go back to India on a Thai flight on our free will. I had bought the tickets but they insisted that we travel on their tickets. They booked us in first class.

How did you decide to go to Australia?

We are a joint family and I’m the eldest among the second generation in our family. Also, I’ve studied abroad and have travelled extensively. I knew that Attar (Haneef) is innocent and a victim of circumstances. I was confident that I’ll be able to get him out.

Your source of confidence?

I have some contacts in Australia including in the government. I know some senators and a minister. Also, the charge against Haneef was wrong. I was sure that with my communication skills I’ll be able to convince them. I also had a lot of hope in the Indian High Commission in Australia.

Can you name the senators and the minister you have contacts with?

Not now. Maybe after August 8. Let the hearing on Haneef’s visa be over. I will say it all.

What’s your hope?

We will succeed. They know that he’s a clean man.

Help came from?

The people, the senators, the minister, the Indian High Commissioner in Australia Prabhat Shukla and Haneef’s legal team.

Was it easy to convince them?

I had taken prior appointment with the senators and the minister. So when I met them, they assured help within their limitations. Mr Shukla was of great help indeed.

In a nutshell, can you tell us how you worked your way through, to Haneef’s release?

It began with a congregation at Griffith University on Sunday, where I met some senators and the public. I spoke to them and told them about Haneef. They formed a support group. The next day I met Haneef at the Correctional Centre and showed him his family photographs.

On Monday I went to Canberra and met Mr Shukla and few people in the Australian government. I told them that he is innocent and that he should be given a fair trial. Just then, the Director of Public Prosecution Damien Bugg announced that he would review the case.

I met some more Senators in the Parliament. They assured help. I returned to Brisbane where the blame game had begun and they said that prosecution had misled them.Our legal team also detected that the charge did not match the legislation under which they were referred. On Thursday, the Prosecution called us saying that they’ve postponed the hearing from 9.30am to 3pm. By then Mr Bugg said he would also give his opinion. When we went to court, the prosecution said they have decided to drop the charge.

Haneef was taken to residential detention by the Immigration Department and they allowed me to stay with him. They asked us if we would like to go back to India on free will. We said we would go but that they shouldn’t deport Haneef. Rest is history.

Have you met Sabeel and Kafeel?

No, I’ve heard of them.

Has Haneef contacted their parents?

No.

What about Dr Asif Ali?

He was working with Haneef at Gold Coast Hospital. He has some problem with his CV...nothing to do with Haneef.

Your views on Haneef...

A down-to-earth man. He had a small dream in his life...to become a doctor.