Court orders restoration of Haneef's work visa

The Federal court today quashed the government's controversial decision to cancel the work visa of Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef on character grounds after terror charges against him over the foiled UK terror plot were dropped.

In a major loss of face for the Australian government, federal court judge Jeff Spender in a decision in Brisbane ordered restoration of Haneef's visa, allowing the Bangalore doctor to return to this country, work as a doctor and resume his studies -- unless the authorities contemplate further action.

Haneef, 27, who worked as a junior doctor at the Gold Coast Hospital, was charged with "recklessly" providing support to a terrorist organisation on July 14, following 12 days in detention under anti-terror laws. A Brisbane magistrate granted him bail on July 16.

But his detention continued as Australian Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews Andrews cancelled his work visa saying he had a reasonable suspicion that Haneef had "associated" with terrorists, specifically his second cousins Kafeel and Sabeel Ahmed, both allegedly involved in failed car bomb plot in the UK in June.

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