A federal grand jury in New York indicted Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade on visa fraud charges today, even as she prepared to leave the country, reports the Washington Post.
Under an arrangement between the United States and India, she will be allowed to leave the US without facing charges of visa fraud and making false statements to get her domestic worker into the United States.
Tonight she remains in her New York residence with her children, according to her attorney.
Late today, the US approved India’s request to accredit Khobragade to the New Delhi mission at the United Nations.
This will allow her a higher level of diplomatic immunity, but the charges against her will remain pending since immunity is not retroactive.
Her husband and children are both US citizens, but the charges will limit her ability to return to the United States.
A source who asked to remain anonymous told the Post the US has asked India to arrange Khobragade’s departure.Washington Post.
You can read more about what’s ahead in this case and the ramifications for US-Indian relations in the