Sacked Indian diplomat thought still in NZ

Sacked Indian High Commissioner Harish Kumar Dogra is believed to be still in the country despite the apparent expiry of his visa.

A High Commission official, who did not want to be named, said he believed that Mr Dogra was still in the country although he did not maintain any contact with the High Commission.

The official said Mr Dogra had been provided with departure tickets for him and his wife Neeta.

"Up until today, the tickets have not been utilised nor any requests made for a change in departure dates," the official said. "We believe Mr Dogra is still in New Zealand."

Mr Dogra was given 10 days to leave the country on April 24.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman said Mr Dogra, whose diplomatic accreditation was earlier last month after he had refused orders from New Delhi to go home, had been given a special 10-day visa to put his affairs in order and leave the country.

Mr Dogra has been resisting demands to go home since March 1 and had turned away a removal van sent to collect his personal possessions from the official residence.

He was sacked after rejecting a recall order and demanding the resignation of Indian Foreign Secretary Shayam Saran.

The row followed months of controversy about the quality of the High Commission's service and complaints from some sections of the Indian community.

India's new High Commissioner Kadakath Pathrose Ernest has since presented his formal credentials to Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright and assumed office.

Department of Labour's group manager service delivery Graham Baker said today the department did not normally comment on individuals without the consent of the individual concerned.

- NZPA