Devyani Khobragade's father thanks govt., countrymen for all help

Reacting to a U.S. court verdict to drop all charges against Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, her father, Uttam Khobragade, on Thursday thanked the Indian Government and all Indians for their support, cooperation and help.

"These people (Devyani's domestic help and her family) are liars, and they had made a false complaint for their selfish interests and tried to implicate Devyani. I would like to express my gratitude towards the Indian Government and the people for extending immense support. We are very happy and satisfied with the court's decision," he said.

Khobragade said his daughter will go to America only after the issue is completely resolved diplomatically between the United States and India.

"The Indian Government should compel the U.S. Government to accept Devyani Khobragade with diplomatic immunity, and, she will go to America only with diplomatic immunity," he added.

In a 14-page order, the U.S. District Judge said that Khobragade had full diplomatic immunity at the time of her indictment on charges of visa fraud and for underpaying her maid.

The judge said Khobragade had served as consular officer in the United States from October 26, 2012 to January 8, 2014, a position that cloaked her with consular immunity as per the Vienna Convention.

Khobragade, who was deputy consul-general in New York, was arrested on December 12 on charges of making false declarations in a visa application for her maid. She was later released on a USD 250,000 bond.

The diplomat was strip searched and held with criminals, triggering a row between Washington and New Delhi, that saw the Indian Government retaliating by downgrading privileges of American diplomats posted in India.