Friday, March 14, 2014

Devyani Khobragade: Indian diplomat re-indicted in US

Devyani Khobragade is accused of visa fraud and underpaying her housekeeper, lawyers in New York said.

It comes two days after a US judge threw out virtually identical charges on the grounds that Ms Khobragade had diplomatic immunity.

Devyani Khobragade arrives in Mumbai. 14 Jan 2014 Devyani Khobragade's arrest stirred up strong feelings in India

However, that ruling left open the possibility that prosecutors could bring a new indictment.

Ms Khobragade has always denied any wrongdoing.

Her lawyer, Daniel Arshack, had no immediate comment on Friday.

Ms Khobragade was detained in New York in December on suspicion of visa fraud and making false statements, after being accused of paying her Indian maid below the US minimum wage.

The Indian government said it was "shocked and appalled" at the manner of her arrest, and ordered a series of diplomatic reprisals against the US, including the withdrawal of a US diplomat from India.

Ms Khobragade returned to India in January after she was indicted on criminal charges and India refused to waive her immunity.

After the charges were dropped, she said through her lawyer that she felt the rule of law had prevailed.

Her father, Uttam Khobragade, said at the time: "This is the happiest moment of our lives."

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