MEA firming up strategy after US issues arrest warrant against Khobragade

Devyani faces fresh indictment on charges of visa fraud

The ministry of external affairs (MEA) is believed to be working on a strategy internally to handle the entire Devyani Khobragade issue, even as the US issued an arrest warrant against her, following fresh indictment on charges of visa fraud and making false statement.

The MEA, which called the action by US authorities as “unnecessary”, seemed to be caught unawares, as it presumed that the Americans might not pursue the case any further or probably file the second indictment along with an arrest warrant so soon, sources told Business Standard.

Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson and joint secretary, MEA, stated the very fact that Khobragade was back in India, means the US had no jurisdiction over her. He said India was “disappointed” with the US for filing second indictment and that this move would impact the efforts taken by both countries to mend the strained ties.

“This was an unnecessary step. Any measure, consequent to this decision in the US, will unfortunately impact upon efforts on both sides to build the India-US strategic partnership, to which both sides are committed. As far as India is concerned, we reiterate that the case has no merit. Therefore, this second indictment has no impact on our stated position,” he said.

The 21-page indictment was filed by India-born US attorney Preet Bharara who said the court would be alerted soon upon the arrest so that Khobragade be asked to appear before the court.

The indictment stated that Khobragade “knowingly made” false statements.

Bharara said, in a letter to US District Judge William Pauley, an arrest warrant was also issued against the diplomat and that the government “will alert the court immediately upon the defendant’s arrest so that an appearance” before the judge might be scheduled.

The new indictment states that the diplomat “knowingly made” multiple false representations. It charged her with presenting false information to US authorities in order to obtain a visa for a personal domestic worker — Sangeeta Richard.

The fresh indictment filed in a court in Manhattan also charged that Khobragade submitted to the US State Department an employment contract of her domestic worker which she knew contained “materially false and fraudulent statements”.

Just two days ago, the US Court for Southern District of New York had dismissed the visa fraud charges and the arrest warrant against Khobragade since she was under diplomatic immunity when she was first indicted on January 9.