Melbourne: The Australian government today announced that a retired judge will hold an inquiry into the handling of the case against Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef, who was cleared of terror charges after being arrested in connection with the failed UK bombings.

Former immigration minister Kevin Andrews and police chief Mick Keelty may be asked to appear before the inquiry to be carried out by former New South Wales Supreme Court judge John Clarke QC, the ABC reported today.

Clarke said that information from Andrews would assist his inquiry but was unsure if the former minister will make a statement.

"Obviously it would be preferable to talk with him but I have no coercive powers," he was quoted as saying by the ABC.

Attorney-General Robert Mcclelland said that Haneef will be asked to give evidence during the inquiry and Clarke has even offered to travel to India to meet with him.

Mohamed Haneef was detained by Australian Federal Police for 12 days in July 2007 before being charged with providing support to a terrorist organisation.

He spent two more weeks in detention as Andrews cancelled his work visa following a Brisbane magistrate's decision to free him on bail.

The charges were dropped later as Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions announced there was no reasonable prospect of a conviction and Haneef returned to Bangalore.

The Federal Court of Australia had in December upheld the decision to reinstate his work visa when the government challenged the decision by a Brisbane court.

Source : PTI