India rejects Australian court’s ruling ordering ex-Indian high commissioner to pay compensation to former domestic employee

As per reports by the Australian media on Sunday, a federal court had ordered Suri to pay Seema Sherghill approximately 136,000 Australian dollars plus interest, within 60 days after she alleged that she was forced to work in unfair conditions. Sherghill had alleged that she had to work 17 and half hours daily for seven days a week.

Bagchi said the service staff “wilfully deserted” her post in May 2016, a day before her scheduled return to India and that she was holding an official passport and Australian diplomatic visa. He added that India has repeatedly requested Australian authorities to locate and repatriate Sherghill to India, who took Australian citizenship in 2021. “Her false representations give rise to suspicions that all this has been motivated by her desire to permanently stay in Australia, and in which she seems to have succeeded,” Bagchi said, replying to a question on the case.

The MEA spokesperson said India is also concerned by the ex-parte court judgement. “We reject any locus standi of Australian authorities to adjudicate on matters concerning such India-based service staff of the high commission,” he said, adding that her grievance has to be suitably redressed only in India. India is now broaching the case with the Australian authorities, citing the Vienna Convention. “We are taking up the matter with Australian authorities, and would urge Australia to uphold its obligations under the Vienna Convention, particularly in relation to diplomatic immunities and privileges,” he said.