KATHMANDU: Two Nepalese maids who alleged they were beaten and raped by a Saudi diplomat in India have been taken to a women's shelter in Nepal.

The women had their faces covered and were protected by several police officers on arrival at the Kathmandu airport.

They were whisked away in a waiting van to a women's shelter, and did not speak to reporters.

The women were working as maids in the diplomat's house near New Delhi. They were picked up on Monday after a non-governmental organization tipped off police.

Indian police have registered a case of rape and illegal confinement against the official, who has not been named.

He has claimed diplomatic immunity, and the Saudi Embassy in a statement Wednesday denied the allegations against him.