Melbourne: Indian doctor Muhammed Haneef can look forward to justice, as Australia's Kevin Rudd-led Labor government kept its word and on Thursday, launched a judicial inquiry into the handling of a failed terrorism case against him last year.

Former New South Wales Supreme Court justice John Clarke will carry out a review of the case. Attorney-General Robert McClelland said Haneef will be asked to give evidence at the inquiry and Clarke has offered to travel to India to meet him. The report is due by September end.

McClelland told the media that the agencies involved in Haneef's case have admitted to failures. He said, "What we want to ensure is that they are functioning at their absolute best both individually and collectively. Certainly, we believe that this inquiry and recommendations flowing from it will be of assistance in ensuring that that occurs." 

The 27-year-old doctor from India was charged with recklessly providing support to a terrorist organisation by giving his mobile phone SIM card to his cousin Sabeel Ahmed, one of the men accused in the botched British bomb attacks in July 2007.

Former immigration minister Kevin Andrews cancelled Haneef's work visa, just hours after a magistrate granted him bail on July 16,2007, ensuring his continued incarceration. The charges against Haneef were dropped and the former Gold Coast registrar returned home to Bangalore last year.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans had reinstated his visa in December 2007 after the Labor government came to power. McClelland said the Haneef case had undermined public confidence in Australia's anti-terror laws, and the inquiry would ensure security agencies learned any necessary lessons.

There were embarrassing faux pas made in the case, and Andrews and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty drew flak for their handling of the case. Andrews has agreed to cooperate with a judicial inquiry saying, "I will be available to meet with Clarke and to assist him in his inquiry."

Source : IANS