Bengaluru: The Australian High Commission has expressed concern at media reports of an Australian citizen being threatened with violence and detained by police because of a tattoo.
A press statement issued on Monday by the public relations section of the High Commission in New Delhi said citizens travelling abroad were advised to research and respect local customs.
An Australian couple, were harassed by a group of people at a restaurant on Saturday for sporting a tattoo of Hindu goddess Yellamma. The group and the city police not only detained them but also forced the man to apologise to the group for ‘hurting their religious sentiments.’
However, the Australian Consulate-General’s office in Chennai contacted the Bengaluru police for details. The Consulate-General in Chennai is in touch with the couple and the local authorities.
The couple left the city on Monday evening, fearing for their safety, according to their friends. They were scheduled to tour India till mid-February.
The Police Department on Monday ordered an internal probe into the incident.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sandeep Patil said the city police had taken the issue seriously and the ACP (Seshadripuram) would lead a probe.
“The inquiry will look into the alleged misconduct on the part of police officers, who handled the case, including taking the apology letter,” he said.
