Indian official Khobragade had been indicted for visa fraud charges and making false statements. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
US prosecutors informed a court that New York-based Khobragade has left the country even as US grand jury returned an indictment against her.
The indictment came a day after Khobragade's lawyers lost a bid to delay the January 13 deadline for a preliminary hearing to be held or an indictment to be filed in the case.
But prosecutors in a letter on Thursday told a federal judge there was no need to arraign Khobragade on charges of visa fraud and making false statements, as she was "very recently accorded diplomatic immunity status and that she departed the United States today."
A lawyer for Khobragade did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
I will show my immunity to the court. The court will see that I have diplomatic immunity. Only then will I leave the US: Khobragade to PTI.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 9, 2014
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@AnisAqeel
Agreed. Well Said. "My point is why not no pay their employees according to the law and that is a small amount compared to the reputation it has created."
@Raj - USA: You are right if she appears in court there is no confiscation but heading of the news is 'escapes' giving a sense of disappearing but latter news indicate that there may have been behind the scene a face saving deal for both countries. Normally countries do not go to that extent for a low/mid level diplomat. My point is why not no pay their employees according to the law and that is a small amount compared to the reputation it has created.
The important point of this exercise was that it has shown that the US will relent if India puts its foot down. End of the day, the US has lost privileges it had in India and it is doubtful they will ever get it back again unless a reciprocal bilateral arrangement is in place.
The maid situation in itself is not as bad as portrayed. The human trafficking T-1 visa has been misused by many in the US in recent years as it is seen as a quick means to obtain a green card. Other diplomats have also been caught in the act, but they were all deported without ever going through the legal system. Not only diplomats, but even a Saudi princess who was underpaying her maid was quietly deported from the US after the case against her was dropped.
Once Devyani returns to India, there should be a probe into how she acquired 2 flats in Adarsh meant for the families of those who died in Kargil. Not sure if this will ever happen as the ruling Congress had its finger in the pie. Her father is now shooting his mouth off in the media, but he and others should realize that we only cared about Devyani because she represented India and was meted out insulting treatment by the US. We have no sympathy towards her as an individual or her shenanigans.
@Raj - USA: Also it is unsure if the bail bond has validity now that she has full immunity.
@AnisAqeel: The bond amount of $250,000 is paid only if the diplomat runs away from court appearance and no amount is payable if the diplomat is freed. Additionally, there are many professional companies in USA that furnish the bond to the court. I think they charge just about 5% of the bond amount. You will find such companies near every court house in USA. In the case of this diplomat no amount of the $250,000 is payable. However, considerable amount would have been paid to the lawyers who represented the diplomat.
@Shakoor: Did you not think guys it same as America does to pakistan in ramyon davis case now India does the same to America by putting her out from america & give her full immunity!
Now USA is under its own tactics . Our diplomat is safe , but another Indian citizen who cheated the country won't come to country in her life.
@Indian Reader: WOW, Please tell us all about the drone strikes that have killed Pakistanis "daily" over the last 7 days!!!
Indians are generally famous for their fraudulent nature all over the world.
@Shakoor: Yes that's why US drones killing Pakistanis on daily basis in Pakistan!
The arrogance of USA has been dented by India.
Hiding embarrassment and face saving statements are an okay but common sense (if used) could be that a fraction of bond money ($250000.00) given to the poor maid's legitimate claim would have saved the 'nose' and the entire drama. It seems back channel diplomacy worked.
My reading of this piece of news is that Pakistan is extremely superior to India.
She did not "escape" indictment. But she cannot be prosecuted. She has full immunity. She is very much in the US, in NYC, and fully immune to US laws and jurisdiction.
US had to finally bite the dust!!!!
Devyani might come to India for a week or ten days, she will return to India's UN mission in New York soon as her husband is a US citizen. Overall India has been a gainer in this diplomatic battle as American diplomats working in India lost all their privileges. There is no way they will get them back unless same is accorded to Indian diplomats posted in US. Real negotiations will start now. I will say Americans have been a big time looser in this entire episode. American diplomats will not get the type of treatment, they were used to, any more. Rule of strict reciprocity will be enforced from now on.