New Delhi, June 30: Senegal's ambassador to India, Ahmed el Mansour Diop, whose son is accused of killing their driver last month at a five-star hotel, has left the country with his family, denying charges levelled against his son. Diop, senior-most diplomat and the dean of the diplomatic corps in the capital, flew out on Saturday night with his 24-year old son, Mansur Ali, leaving behind an undated but signed statement which was released today.
Ali allegedly killed his driver, 32-year old Dilawar during a fight at a five star hotel on may 24 while a function to mark Africa Day was underway.
Ali reportedly found Dilawar in an inebriated state and asked for the car keys telling the driver he was not in a state to drive and he would drive it himself. A quarrel followed during which Dilawar is said to have hit a hard object and died.
In his statement, Diop said the driver had pushed his son. "There was an altercation and both fell down", he said adding "it seems that Dilawar hit his head on a hard surface, which resulted in a critical injury. My son suffered a fracture in his arm".
Police registered a case under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) against Ali who was not arrested on the ground that he may enjoy diplomatic immunity.
Under the 1961 Vienna Convention, diplomats and their families enjoy immunity for crimes in the host country. But if a diplomat's family member is an adult, then such a person does not automatically enjoy this facility. Special permission of the host government has to be sought for getting immunity.
Bureau Report