Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Devyani Khobragade berates Preet Bharara for going public on plea discussions
BackBack

Devyani Khobragade berates Preet Bharara for going public on plea discussions

Devyani Khobragade called it a distressingly calculated move which could further polarize the situation

Devyani Khobragade was arrested on charges of making false declarations in a visa application for her maid Sangeeta Richard. Photo: Reuters Premium
Devyani Khobragade was arrested on charges of making false declarations in a visa application for her maid Sangeeta Richard. Photo: Reuters

New York: Senior Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade has berated US attorney Preet Bharara for publicly disclosing plea discussions underway to resolve the visa fraud case against her, saying it was a “distressingly calculated" move which could further polarize the situation.

Noting that the two sides had agreed not to make public the plea discussions, her lawyer Daniel Arshack gave a strong rejoinder to Bharara who had written to magistrate judge Sarah Netburn stating that he had outlined reasonable parameters that could resolve the issue.

“We can only think that the violation of that agreement is a distressingly calculated one," Arshack said.

With the deadline for her indictment slated for 13 January, the diplomat had sought one-month extension, saying the “pressure of the impending" date is interfering with the ability of the parties to have meaningful discussions. But her plea has been opposed by the prosecution.

India has been demanding the withdrawal of the case against Khobragade and an apology from the US for the treatment meted out to the 39-year-old diplomat, including a strip search and detention with criminals after her arrest on 12 December.

India-born US prosecutor Bharara’s office is required to file charges against the diplomat within 30 days of her arrest. The US said last month it is proceeding with the prosecution of Khobragade and has no intention of withdrawing the case.

At the time of her arrest, Khobragade was deputy consul general in New York and was subsequently transferred to India’s Permanent Mission to the UN. A 1999-batch IFS officer, Khobragade was arrested on charges of making false declarations in a visa application for her maid Sangeeta Richard. She was released on a $250,000 bond. PTI

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Politics News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 08 Jan 2014, 12:37 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App