Indian diplomat quits NZ after wife accused of assault
WELLINGTON: Delhi’s top diplomat in New Zealand said Saturday he would return to India but denied that his relocation was linked to accusations that his wife had assaulted a staff member. Police said a member of staff at the Indian diplomatic mission alleged he was assaulted by Sharmila Thapar, the wife of High Commissioner Ravi Thapar, but declined to lay a formal complaint. A removal van was at Thapar’s Wellington home on Saturday morning where Sharmila Thapar refused to answer questions.
However, Ravi Thapar denied any suggestions a staff member had been assaulted and said he was returning to India to care for his mother.
“I’m going but to take care of my mum because my dad passed away last year. I can’t keep up 13,000 kilometres away just talking to her on the phone,” he told reporters.
He added his wife continued to suffer the effects of a car accident, sometimes wore a neck support, and would not have assaulted anyone.