Indian diplomat exempt from US court appearance

India's Deputy Consul General in New York, Devyani Khobragade, attends a Rutgers University event at India's Consulate General in New York, June 19, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

NEW DELHI - The diplomatic row between India and the US seems to be moving towards a possible resolution, with Indian woman diplomat Devyani Khobragade, arrested more than 10 days back in New York on charges of visa fraud and underpaying her maid, Monday given accreditation by the United Nations and also exempted from personal appearance in the case, sources said.

The 39-year-old diplomat, arrested and subsequently strip- searched on December 12, was last week shifted to India's Permanent Mission at the United Nations to allow her greater diplomatic immunity from the US law. As the deputy Consul General in New York, she had immunity limited to consular work.

Not only Khobragade has got UN accreditation, guaranteeing her full diplomatic immunity in the US, but also has she been exempted to make personal appearance in the visa fraud and underpayment of maid case in the court of law in New York, the sources said.

But, despite the diplomatic immunity, the woman diplomat may still have to face the due process of law for both the accusations, which carry a punishment of up to 10 years in jail, since she was charged when she was still a deputy Consul.

"Receiving diplomatic immunity does not nullify any previously existing criminal charges. Those remain on the books. Nor does obtaining diplomatic immunity protect the diplomat from prosecution indefinitely," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki had said last week.

The woman diplomat has denied any wrongdoing. She is currently out on bail.

The case has sparked off a diplomatic row between India and the US While New Delhi seeks an apology for her "humiliating" arrest, Washington has so far refused to drop charges against her.

As a retaliatory measure, India has withdrawn many privileges extended to American diplomats posted in this country, sought visa and other key details of American embassy and consular staff, and also removed security barricades near the US Embassy in the national capital.

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