Zero tolerance for domestic violence,sexual misconduct: MEA

With the recent behaviour of some Indian diplomats causing public embarrassment,Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has warned envoys that there will be zero tolerance for incidents of sexual misconduct and domestic violence.

With the recent behaviour of some Indian diplomats causing public embarrassment,Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has warned envoys that there will be zero tolerance for incidents of sexual misconduct and domestic violence.

The ministry will deal with incidents of sexual misconduct and domestic violence with zero tolerance and will take punitive measures against offending officials, wrote Rao in a note to the heads of missions on Friday. Any act of domestic violence or sexual misconduct will necessitate immediate recall Zero tolerance for domestic violence,sexual misconduct: MEA warns envoys of the officer and his dependents.

Asserting that Indian Foreign Service officials had always conducted themselves with discretion and probity,she said the code of conduct should be followed strictly by Indian diplomats.

Recently,the ministry was quick to act against two Indian diplomats,Anil Verma and Alok Ranjan Jha,by recalling them from Britain and the UN headquarters in New York respectively following allegations of domestic violence and sexual misconduct.

Verma,minister (economic) at the Indian High Commission in London,was recalled after being accused of domestic violence by his wife Paromita.

Jha,a diplomat posted to the Indian mission in New York,was recalled after allegedly misbehaving with a woman passenger on a flight to New York.