New Delhi, April 19
In a firm action against defiant diplomat Harish Kumar Dogra, the Union Government has not only stripped him of his accreditation as an envoy to New Zealand but also appointed today a 1975-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Mr K.P. Ernst, as his successor.

Mr Dogra's accreditation was cancelled following his recall about a month-and-a-half back over complaints against him.

The decision has been conveyed to New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the country's High Commissioner here, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told newspersons here.

Mr Sarna said a 1975-batch IFS officer and an Additional Secretary (Policy Planning and Research) in the Ministry of External Affairs , Mr Ernest, was expected to assume charge shortly.

Posted in Wellington two years ago, Mr Dogra was recalled on March 1 according to the "relevant service rules", Mr Sarna said.

The recall had been ordered under the IFS (Pay, Leave and Compensatory Allowances) Rules.

Mr Dogra, a career-diplomat of the rank of Secretary, however, caused a major embarrassment to the ministry as he refused to obey the recall order and instead demanded Foreign Secretary Saran's resignation.

Mr Dogra, who handed over the charge of High Commissioner to the Deputy Chief of Mission last Friday, had said he would not return to India till Saran retires in September this year.

Mr Dogra sent an eight-page letter to Mr Saran earlier this month, alleging that the Foreign Secretary had engaged in a malicious campaign against him and that his recall "violated the very basic principle of the natural justice in such a serious matter".

"You have played with my integrity and my honour by these innuendos and slander through gossip leaks.

"Fairness demands that either you prove your charges or submit your resignation," Mr Dogra said in his letter to Mr Saran contents of which appeared in media in New Zealand.

Mr Dogra has also approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) challenging the recall order.

According to the letter, he described his recall order as "ill-advised and illegal".

Taking serious note of circulation of the letter, the External Affairs Ministry said it would deal with the matter in accordance with its well-established procedures.

Mr Sarna said Mr Dogra had indicated that he would return to India by the first week of April. Later, he said he would return by April 15 but did not adhere to his own schedule.