All eyes are again on Kevin Andrews, the Australian Immigration Minister — who was recently in the news for cancelling Mohammed Haneef’s visa.

With the Commonwealth prosecutors dropping all terror charges against Haneef on Friday, the ball is now in Mr Andrews’ court to decide whether to re-issue his visa or not.

“It’s (whether Haneef will get his visa back or not) a big question now... Mr Andrews is playing the cards close to his chest,” Haneef’s barrister Stephen Keim told Deccan Herald over phone from Brisbane.

He, however, made it clear that Haneef will soon return to India. “There is no doubt on Haneef’s going back to India soon,” he said.

In fact, Haneef’s legal team has been keeping its fingers crossed as it was Immigration Minister who cancelled its client’s visa, just hours after a Brisbane court granted him a bail recently. The minister cancelled Haneef’s visa on character grounds, forcing him to remain in solitary confinement in jail.

Mr Andrews has said that he will seek the opinion of Commonwealth Solicitor-General in this regard. He is expected to take a decision shortly.

Fight for visa
Haneef’s lawyer Peter Russo said that he will continue his fight to get back the visa and that the hearing on the application to revoke visa cancellation will come up on August 8. “The fight against visa cancellation will continue. We will fight for it in the court,” he added.

Mr Russo further said: “I am disappointment that the minister (Kevin Andrews) has not revoked the visa cancellation.”

The solicitor said that he will not accept if the government proposes to deport his client. “I want him to be a free man as he was before... I want him to continue his profession and live a normal life,” he stated.

Residential detention
According to Mr Stephen Keim, residential detention is almost like house arrest. “Haneef will be allowed to live at an agreed place. He is free to actually move about in the community, but as a matter of legal principle he is still formally in detention,” he said.

He also said that Haneef has been taken to some undisclosed location from Villawood detention centre. But he is very much in Brisbane. The place has been kept a secret for his safety.

“As I know he will not be allowed to interact with the media. But he can talk to the family members over phone. He will also be allowed to live with his wife’s cousin Imran Siddiqui, who is now in Brisbane,” he said.

WHAT TOP COPS SAY

It is very difficult to say anything. The Australian police must have failed to find evidence to prove their charges. I can’t express anything at this stage as the decision is purely based on investigations made by the Australian police.

GOPAL B HOSUR
Joint Commissioner of Police

I can’t say anything as the decision is based on the findings by the Australian police. I don’t have any comments.

RAVIKANTHE GOWDA
DCP (Crime)

We don’t have details regarding what has happened in Australia. We have to go through reasons and considerations under which Haneef has been sent to residential custody. I can’t comment unless those details are available.

B N S REDDY
DCP (Central Division)

We have to study the final judgement. Media is just reporting that Haneef will be released, but legal details are not available. It is very important to consider the circumstances that led to Haneef’s residential custody. It is not appropriate to say anything just based on media reports.

ALOK KUMAR
DCP (South Division)

I can’t comment based on media reports.

SOUMENDHU MUKHERJEE
DCP (South East Division)