This Article is From Aug 12, 2010

Beaten up for a minor car scratch, alleges Egyptian Embassy driver

 Beaten up for a minor car scratch, alleges Egyptian Embassy driver
Delhi: For 45-year-old Johnson Jon, a driver employed with the Egyptian Embassy in Delhi, everything started from a scratch, or two. On May 15, Johnson drove out a Volkswagen Jetta to the garage to give it a wash. The car belonged to Ashraf A El-Sherbeny, a counsellor in the embassy.

"As I started cleaning the car, suddenly a brick from the ceiling came loose and fell on it resulting in two scratches on the vehicle. When I went to Ashraf's room and told him about the incident he came back with me to take a look at his car. When he saw the scratches he began abusing me. I told him it wasn't my fault but he wasn't prepared to hear anything. After a few words were exchanged he started thrashing and punching me. He beat me up and then dragged me about 50 metres to the gate and kicked me out. He even held on to my pending salary, my personal belongings and my two-wheeler," said Johnson.

"I went to the cops and complained about the incident. Since no action was taken I have been frequently visiting the police station since then," he added.

Johnson even approached the Delhi Chauffeur's Association seeking help in getting back his money and baggage. The president of the association sent out pleas to the Ministry of External Affairs, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Deputy Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo, Egypt and the Ambassador of Egypt. MiD DAY has a copy of the complaint.

"We even sent a copy of the plea to Egypt. Johnson was residing in the servant quarters of the embassy and the counsellor seized all his household items and even his scooter. Arshad didn't even pay him his pending salary of 3 months. We complained to the Protocol Officer of the MEA. After one and a half months the cops told us that Ashraf was ready to compromise and he would pay the money due to Johnson. Then we went to the Egyptian Embassy on Wednesday. But as Johnson entered the premises, we saw the embassy people already prepared to throw Johnson's baggage out on the road," said S P Singh, President Delhi Chauffeur's Association.

Johnson asked the people there to desist but his requests were ignored.

"I asked them for some time to arrange a vehicle but they just threw all of my household items onto the street. I asked for my money but Ashraf refused point blank. He said that I have to sign on the papers of clarification that I had received. Only then would he hand over my money and the two-wheeler. I don't believe him; so I can't sign the papers before getting my possessions," he added.

The cops refused to comment on the issue but the counsellor Ashraf denied all allegations.

"All the charges are false. These people are trying to tarnish my image. No such incident has happened," said Ashraf.

Meanwhile, Johnson is still waiting for his pending salary and his two-wheeler.
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