All through his 25-day detention in Australia, Bangalorean doctor Mohammed Haneef has been on a swing of fortunes. Right from his detention to Friday’s final nod to his innocence, his fate was balanced on leaked interview transcripts, alleged investigation flaws and the support he mustered among the human rights activists in Australia.

The allegations that he could be part of a sleeper terror cell in Australia had triggered major concerns back in India, over the possibilities of a backlash against Indian doctors working in Australia. His family in Bangalore was also dogged by unconfirmed reports and an evident lack of communication from the Australian authorities. It was on July 13, that the Australian Federal Police declined to seek an extension to his detention, triggering guarded celebrations within his family back home.

What followed was the Brisbane Magistrate’s decision to grant him bail, on July 16. However, in another twist on the same day, the Australian Ministry of Immigration and Citizenship cancelled his visa, citing protection of “national interests”. After being shifted to the Wolston Correctional Centre in Brisbane, things looked bleak for the 27-year-old doctor.

Hope floats
Yet again, hope surfaced in media reports that pointed at serious bungles in the AFP probe. The arrival of Imran Siddiqui, cousin of Haneef’s wife Firdaus Arshiya, in Australia on July 21 doubled up the much-needed support.

In the face of pressure from human rights activists and in the background of alleged probe discrepancies, the Department of Public Prosecution agreed to review the case material, on July 25. The sum-up of the turn of events was marked on Friday when — after the cases were dropped — Queensland premier Peter Beattie said Haneef was “welcome” to rejoin the Gold Coast Hospital, if the government restored his work visa.

Turn of events

July 2: Mohammed Haneef detained
July 5: Court extends detention; grants consular access
July 8: Police search Haneef’s Gold Coast residence
July 11: Haneef speaks to wife Firdaus over phone
July 13: AFP declines to seek extension of detention
July 16: Haneef gets bail, but govt cancels his visa
July 18: Govt cancels Firdaus’ visa
July 20: Media reports on probe discrepancies
July 21: Imran, Firdaus’ cousin, arrives in Australia
July 22: AFP denies reports that Haneef planned attacks
              in Australia
July 24: Imran meets Haneef in prison
July 25: Director of Public Prosecutions announces review
              of case material
July 27: Govt drops all charges against Haneef