Breaking news on Devyani

by Guest Thu Jan 09, 2014 4:48 pm

NEW YORK: An Indian diplomat accused of lying about how much she paid her housekeeper was indicted on Thursday on two criminal charges, though prosecutors told a judge that she had been granted diplomatic immunity and left the country earlier in the day....

In a letter to the judge, prosecutors said there was no need for an arraignment because Khobragade had "very recently'' been given diplomatic immunity status and left the United States on Thursday.

The letter said the charges will remain pending until she can be brought to court to face them, either through a waiver of immunity or her return to the US without immunity status.

"We will alert the court promptly if we learn that the defendant returns to the United States in a non-immune capacity, at which time the government will proceed to prosecute this case and prove the charges in the indictment,'' the letter from the office of US attorney Preet Bharara said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Devyani-Khobragade-indicted-in-New-York-leaves-US/articleshow/28608545.cms

by Guest Thu Jan 09, 2014 5:31 pm

To show its displeasure, the Indian government has taken measures ranging from serious to seemingly small. It removed security barricades at the U.S. Embassy. Last week, it asked the embassy not to screen movies at the American Center without obtaining domestic licenses. Indian officials have alleged that some spouses of diplomats teach at the embassy school illegally, and the embassy has been asked to provide details about teachers and their salaries.

The Indian government has also told the New Delhi police to waive immunity for traffic violations involving embassy vehicles — a common diplomatic courtesy.

The club run by the American Community Support Association is a special target, a source of comfort and convenience for U.S. government employees and American businesspeople, journalists and others who are sponsored by diplomats and pay for membership.

It is an oasis of Americana, featuring a sparkling-blue swimming pool and waiters who bring hamburgers and Cokes poolside. At its outdoor cafe, members sip iced mochas while watching kids from the American Embassy School play baseball on the diamond next door.

A Foreign Ministry official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject, said that the facilities were meant for diplomats and that if they were opened to others, “then it becomes a commercial venture and they should have paid taxes in India.”

The ministry notice asked the embassy to discontinue the club’s “commercial activities” and to submit its tax returns by Jan. 16.

Asked about the Indian actions, the State Department on Wednesday repeated an earlier response.

“We, of course, endeavor to always be in compliance with local laws and regulations,” spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. India’s diplomatic notes regarding U.S. violations “raise highly technical and complicated issues,” she said. “We’re continuing our conversations with the government in response to diplomatic communications and asks, with the importance of our broad relationship in mind.”

She added, “We continue to believe that we can maintain our strong historic relationship.”

The State Department’s Office of Inspector General had pointed out in a 2005 report that the use of the commissary at the club by people other than U.S. diplomats must stop.

One American woman who used the club said it would be sorely missed if it were shut down or its activities limited.

“The biggest attraction is the swimming pool. What will we do in the summer?” she said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the diplomatic controversy. She said she also bought brands at the club that were difficult to find in India, for products such as whole-wheat flour and wine.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/indian-diplomat-indicted-on-charges-of-visa-fraud-false-statements/2014/01/09/8fe0a914-7973-11e3-b1c5-739e63e9c9a7_story.html

Breaking news on Devyani

Breaking news on Devyani

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