miscellaneous

'Shocked And Appalled'

'It was also conveyed in no uncertain terms that this kind of treatment to one of our diplomats is absolutely unacceptable.'

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'Shocked And Appalled'
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The statement issued by the Indian embassy in Washington

Washington DC
December 13, 2013

Charge d`Affaires of the Embassy of India in Washington, DC., met with the senior officials in the U.S. State Department again on 13 December 2013 and reiterated Foreign Secretary of India's strong demarche to the U.S. Ambassador in New Delhi regarding the treatment meted out to Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Deputy Consul General, in New York on 12 December 2013. It was emphasised that Dr. Devyani Khobragade is a diplomat, who is in the U.S. in pursuance of her duties and hence is entitled to the courtesy due to a diplomat in the country of her work. She is also a young mother of two small children. Government of India is shocked and appalled at the manner in which she has been humiliated by the U.S. authorities. It was also conveyed in no uncertain terms that this kind of treatment to one of our diplomats is absolutely unacceptable. The U.S. State Department has been called upon to resolve the matter at the earliest.

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Earlier, the embassy had issued the following statement: In response to a media query relating to Dr Devyani Khobragade, Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of India, New York

Washington, DC
December 12, 2013

We were informed that Deputy Consul General of India in New York, Dr. Devyani Khobragade, was taken into custody by law enforcement authorities in New York in the morning of December 12, 2013 while she was dropping her daughter at school. Dr. Khobragade was later released that same evening.
Action was apparently taken against Dr Khobragade on the basis of allegations raised by the officer's former India-based domestic assistant, Ms Sangeeta Richard, who has been absconding since June this year. In this context the Delhi High Court had issued an-interim injunction in September to restrain Ms Richard from instituting any actions or proceedings against Dr Khobragade outside India on the terms or conditions of her employment.

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The US Government had subsequently been requested to locate Ms Richard and facilitate the service of an arrest warrant, issued by the Metropolitan Magistrate of the South District Court in New Delhi under Sections 387, 420 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code.
The Embassy of India in Washington DC had immediately conveyed its strong concern to the U.S. Government over the action taken against Dr Khobragade. The US side have been urged to resolve the matter with due sensitivity, taking into account the existing Court case in India that has already been brought to their attention by the Government of India, and the Diplomatic status of the officer concerned.
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