The Australian Federal Court’s decision to put off the hearing on Dr Mohammed Haneef’s plea against the cancellation of his visa to August 8 in Brisbane, has come as a blessing in disguise for the doctor’s family members in Bangalore.

The family members can now meet Haneef at the Wolston Correctional Centre. However, the time available is limited: 20 days (till August 8).

“Family members can meet Haneef at the jail, as per the Prison Visitor’s Scheme,” Mohammed Haneef’s lawyer Peter Russo told Deccan Herald over phone from Brisbane.

Russo said after August 8, when the court hears the appeal, Mohammed Haneef may or may not get a chance to meet the family members. “If the court rejects the plea, he will be shifted to Sydney where he will be kept under immigration detention till the trial is over.

If the plea is accepted, the bail granted by the Magistrate Court will come into effect and then, he can continue to meet them,” he said.

Mohammed Haneef’s family, especially his wife Firdaus Arshiya, is desperate to meet him. Though Firdaus — who gave birth to a child just a month ago — had applied for visa, it was rejected. Now, she is planning to send her cousin to Brisbane to meet her husband.

Russo refused to comment on the Australian government’s decision to decline visa to Firdaus.

Asked about the condition of Mohammed Haneef, the solicitor said, “I don’t know how he is now. But he was ok till yesterday (Tuesday).”