India blasts US over treatment of its diplomats

Maid files lawsuit in a US court against India's consul general Prabhu Dayal and his family, claims she was harassed.


Afp June 23, 2011

NEW YORK: India has reacted angrily to a court case lodged against a diplomat in New York who is accused of sexually harassing his house maid and treating her like a slave.

The maid, 45-year-old Santosh Bhardwaj, filed a lawsuit on Monday in a US court against India's consul general Prabhu Dayal and his family, claiming she was under-paid, sexually harassed and prevented from travelling.

India's foreign ministry said late Wednesday it was "disappointed and deeply concerned" that Indian diplomats and their family members were being apparently targeted in the United States.

Earlier this year, the daughter of another diplomat in New York was detained by police for more than 24 hours on suspicion of sending abusive emails to her school teacher. She was later cleared of wrongdoing.

"We are disappointed and surprised at the allegations against the consul general of India in New York, Mr Prabhu Dayal, by his former employee, which appear to be motivated and baseless," said ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash.

"Such actions impede the ability of the individuals in question to discharge their official responsibilities and cause untold mental harassment and anguish and they cannot be dismissed lightly."

Dayal, in New York since 2008, has previously served as ambassador to Mexico and Kuwait.

In January, the Indian foreign ministry recalled a diplomat posted at the British High Commission in London who was accused of beating his wife.

Last year, another diplomat posted in Islamabad was arrested by Indian authorities on suspicion of spying for Pakistan.

COMMENTS (27)

thomas koovalloor | 12 years ago | Reply

The problem in the United states is that at the present situation any women can simply sue a man for harassment. There are so many weaknesses in the American law. Any lawyer can sue any one for harassment.Those who have some personal issues with their employers can do it well, and in most cases they will win. It is the duty of the defendant to prove his/her innocence. It may cost a life time of effort like Anand Jon's case. But here the situation is different. Hon. Prabhu Dayal is a highly respected and decent man. This woman wanted to get rich quick, that's why she preplanned every thing. Prabhu Dayal is the top ranking Diplomatic official at India's Consulate and he is in charge of millions of Indians.As a highest ranking Diplomat he has the Diplomatic immunity under the International law ( Vienna Convention). If it happen to a low ranking American diplomat United States will definitely show its muscle to protect him/her. But what happened is that Indian government is still inferior to show its muscle to protect its own citizens. In my opinion this is not a single incident, there were so many incidents against the Indian citizens happened recently. Considering all this Indian government have to appoint a skilled legal team , very urgently, to handle the cases against all the Indian citizens in the U.S.

Ashutosh | 12 years ago | Reply @Dr. Saleem Siddiqi: Please go through my address to Mr. Paras Vikmani. Regards,
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