CNN-IBN
Bagalore, Jul 30: After a month-long ordeal and much international spotlight later, Mohammad Haneef – the Indian doctor detained in connection with the failed UK terror plot – reached Bangalore on Sunday night.
Twenty-seven-year-old Haneef, told media that he is thankful to the Indian government, media, the Australian authorities and his lawyer for supporting him through the ordeal.
"I thank the people of India who supported me. I also want to thank my lawyer, the Australian authorities and my brother who brought my wife and daughter to India," he said shortly after reaching his Bangalore residence.
Haneef had boarded a Thai Airways flight from Australia via Bangkok, landed at the Bangalore airport at 2130 hrs (IST) to a highly welcome by his family and friends.
Clad in a dark suit and a maroon striped shirt, a relaxed-looking Haneef was accompanied by his cousin Imran Siddiqui - who had gone to Australia to help him in his case - and lawyer Peter Russo.
He was received by his father-in-law Ishtiaque Ahmed and brother at the crowded airport where a huge contingent of media persons and police personnel laid a siege.
Earlier in an interview with Australian channel Nine Network, the Indian doctor said he couldn’t “dream of supporting or involving (myself) in such activities at all".
He said he never mean to hurt anyone by his words and so could not think of hurting anyone by his activity.
Haneef said he was never a risk to Australia and would have informed authorities had he known his cousins Kafeel and Sabeel Ahmed were plotting attacks in the UK.