US consul staffers meet jailed driver

The United States consular staff visited Nooria Haveliwala at LT Marg lock up on Tuesday, a senior police official said.

The United States consular staff visited Nooria Haveliwala at LT Marg lock up on Tuesday, a senior police official said.

HT Image

Nooria rammed her SUV into a biker near Marine Lines station on Saturday, killing two people. “As Nooria is an American citizen, the consulate sought access to her,” a senior police officer said, adding that International Law mandates that the US consulate be allowed access to Nooria.

Three staffers, including two women, from the US consulate spoke with Nooria for about 15 minutes, inquiring about conditions in the lock up and if the accused was given amenities as per Indian laws, a source said. The staff requested some toiletries for Nooria which was denied.

Confirming the visit, Robyn Remeika, US consulate information officer said: “It is against policy to comment on cases involving private US citizens.” Senior Police Inspector Arun Borude refused to comment. He said a decision on an application for home food by Nooria has been kept for hearing on February 5.

Nooriya’s advocate Renuka Laxmeshwar said she was unaware of details of meeting between her client and the US staffers. “I am waiting to meet her,” she said.