Driver thrown out of Egyptian Embassy

MiD DAY was present when victim's personal possessions were thrown out onto the streets by staff at the Mission's office

MiD DAY was present when victim's personal possessions were thrown out onto the streets by staff at the Mission's office

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.

Rocky road: Johnson Jonu00a0claims a counsellor at the embassy assaulted
him after the accused's car accidentally developed some scratches. He
also alleges that the counsellor has refused to pay him his dues and is
holding on to his two-wheeler. Pic/Imtiyaz Khan

"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.
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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. 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," said Johnson.

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.

MP's CAR missing

A car owned by a member of Parliament (MP) was stolen and its driver abducted last week in Dwarka. Congress MP from west Delhi, Mahabal Mishra, was in for a rude shock on Friday when one of his carsu00a0-- in which his son had gone to the local sports complexu00a0-- was driven away, along with his driver, who is also the MP's relative, by four armed men. The driver was later dumped at an isolated place after which he informed Mishra. Police are still looking for the stolen vehicle.

"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.