(a) whether an Indian couple was arrested by the Norwegian authorities
for alleged maltreatment of their child;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the matter has been taken up with the Norwegian
authorities;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the efforts made by the Government to get the couple released?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)
(a) & (b) An Indian couple, Mr. Chandrashekhar Vallabhaneni and Ms. Anupa
Lingamneni was taken into custody by the Norwegian authorities for alleged
maltreatment of their 7-year old son. In the judgment given by the Oslo
District Court on December 4, 2012, the Indian couple was sentenced to
undergo imprisonment of 18 months and 15 months, respectively.
(c) to (e) The matter is sub-judice in Norway. The couple has appealed
against the verdict in the higher Court. Government has approached the
Norwegian authorities to provide the Indian couple availability of
recourse under the law of their land. Consular access has been extended
to the couple by the Indian Embassy in Oslo. The Embassy is in constant
touch with the couple and their lawyers. Earlier the Indian Mission had
acted proactively and helped the couple get their children back from the
Norwegian Child Welfare authorities.