Dogra hands over charge

After defying his recall orders for over a month, India8217;s high commissioner to New Zealand Harish Kumar Dogra has handed over charge and proceeded on leave till the end of September, when his bete noire Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran is due to retire.

Dogra, a secretary rank IFS officer, has been recalled after the foreign office found his work unsatisfactory and following complaints from local Indians. Dogra has now informed Saran in a letter that he has handed over charge to the Deputy Chief of Mission following an ultimatum to him to do so.

But dogra has refused to return home and decided to go on leave till Saran8217;s tenure ends. He has sought time to vacate his official residence and come back home to New Delhi. The External Affairs Ministry is contemplating disciplinary action against Dogra for not obeying the recall order and for lashing out at Saran.