Homesick Haneef pining for his family in Bangalore: Lawyer

Freed Indian born doctor Mohamed Haneef is feeling homesick and will leave Australia as soon as the immigration department gives him permission to do so, said his lawyer Peter Russo.

Melbourne, July 27 : Freed Indian born doctor Mohamed Haneef is feeling homesick and will leave Australia as soon as the immigration department gives him permission to do so, said his lawyer Peter Russo.

Russo said that Haneef was relieved to be out of jail, but was pining for his family in Bangalore.

Russo said he could possibly go as early as tonight, even if his work visa is renewed.

Dr Haneef's first words to him after his release last night were "thank you, thank you, thank you Peter," news.com.au quoted Russo, as saying.

Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews, who cancelled Dr Haneef's work visa last week, will be seeking advice from the Commonwealth Solicitor General today on whether he can reverse his earlier decision.

Dr Haneef remains in legal limbo as he awaits a decision by Andrews over whether to reinstate his work visa.

The Gold Coast-based doctor was released from a Brisbane jail on Friday after a terror charge against him was dropped.

He, however, remains under residential detention at a secret location in Brisbane.

Earlier, the Indian Government had expressed its happiness over the dropping of terrorism charges against Haneef.

Navtej Sarna, the government's spokesperson, said that India hoped Haneef could return home as per his wish.

"It is the sincere hope of the Government of India that Dr. Haneef will be able to depart Australia of his own accord in the near future," he said.

Haneef, 27, was charged with providing support to a terrorist organisation by giving his SIM card to a relative later accused of being linked to a failed plot to bomb central London and Glasgow Airport.

ANI