Norway case: Govt to step back as father's flip-flop

Government has put on hold the visit of a senior external affairs ministry official to Norway in connection with the child custody case amid allegations and counter allegations of differences between the parents.

Government has put on hold the visit of a senior external affairs ministry official to Norway in connection with the child custody case amid allegations and counter allegations of differences between the parents.

"Government has tried its best to bring the children home so that they have a future in the country. But a new situation has developed... we cannot interfere. The visit of a joint secretary (to Norway) has been postponed," minister of state for external affairs Preneet Kaur told reporters outside Parliament House.

She said the government will look into the situation before taking the next step.

Anurup Bhattacharya, father of the two children, had accused his wife Sagarika of marital violence but on Wednesday denied the allegations.

He said there are no differences between him and his wife after he reportedly alleged that his wife Sagarika had psychological problems.

He also said that he has not filed for a divorce.

Earlier, Bhattacharya told The Hindu, "If I concealed the seriousness of Abhigyan's and our family's problems it was because I thought that was the only way we could get our children back. But I now realise that was a mistake and I should have spoken the truth right from the start."

The children are in the care of Norway's Child Welfare Services.

Two MEA officials were scheduled to hear the custody hearing of the children on March 23 in Stavanger.

(With PTI inputs)