A French consulate official in the Indian IT hub of Bangalore was remanded in judicial custody Tuesday following his formal arrest on suspicion of sexually abusing his three-year-old daughter. The official, identified as a "consular agent", was remanded in custody for 14 days by a local magistrate pending further judicial investigation, Bangalore Deputy Commissioner of Police Ravikante Gowda told reporters.
He was arrested earlier Tuesday at his residence on the basis of a police complaint filed by his wife that accused him of sexually abusing the couple's daughter.
"We have taken blood samples and conducted a DNA test. We are waiting for the report to cross-check with the child's medical report," Gowda said.
The French official was initially taken in for questioning last week but later released while police sought clarification on his diplomatic status and the question of immunity.
A spokesman for the French foreign ministry in Paris declined to comment directly on the case, but noted that immunity did not extend to any act committed outside of normal consular activity.
Intensive Indian media coverage of the case had fuelled public anger in Bangalore and 30 people had demonstrated outside the French consulate on Monday, demanding the official's immediate arrest.
In a statement, the consulate said it was "extending cooperation to the police and authorities in charge" of the case.
"We also remain in touch with the family of the child," the statement said.
The official and his wife have three children, including two sons, all of whom are French citizens.
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