Quiet dinner awaits Haneef after Australia ordeal

BANGALORE: An Indian doctor cleared in Australia of terrorism charges will be welcomed home on Sunday with a quiet dinner party attended by close family and friends, his wife said.

Mohamed Haneef, 27, was scheduled to arrive in India's southern high-tech hub of Bangalore at around 9:30 pm following a stopover in Bangkok, said Haneef's wife Firdous.

"I am happy and excited at the thought of seeing him," she said.

Scores of press had gathered early on Sunday at Bangalore's international airport to be on hand for Haneef's arrival, but Firdous told them the flight would not arrive until the late evening.

Haneef, who worked at a hospital on Australia's Gold Coast, was also to meet his month-old baby daughter for the first time. 

The Indian national was detained in Australia on suspicion of involvement in the failed British car bombings in London and Glasgow last month.    

Haneef was charged with providing 'reckless' support of a terrorist group, but the case against him collapsed on Friday due to lack of evidence and, after 27 days in jail, he was released. 

Australian authorities on Saturday cleared him to leave the country but said his working visa would not be reinstated.   

Haneef's Australian lawyer said in Brisbane that the doctor would however fight from India to have his visa restored, as he wanted to clear his name for the sake of his career.