New Delhi: Indian Foreign Service officer Devyani Khobragade reached India late on Friday evening after being charged for visa fraud and making false statements by a New York court in the United States of America. Even as she returned home, the diplomatic row between India and US remains far from over.
Devyani's father Uttam Khobragade expressed his happiness on the turn of the events and said, "I am moved by the love and affection of the people." Devyani, was indicted by the US but granted G1 visa. The visa entails full diplomatic security to her.
Meanwhile, India fired another round of salvo by demanding US to withdraw a diplomat of Devyani's rank from Delhi. Government sources said India has reason to believe that the officer asked to leave was involved in processes relating to the Devyani case and subsequent unilateral action by US.
But Bharatiya Janata Party played down the hype surrounding her return saying it is no victory for India. Party leader Yashwant Sinha said, "Getting Khobragade back to India is not a victory. The trial against her in the United States will continue. We have been able to get her back to India based on a technicality. The Indian government's appeals have had no effect on US authorities."
The US request to India to waive her diplomatic immunity was refused following which she was asked to leave the country. The charges against 39-year-old Devyani Khobragade will remain and she will have to face trial, if she returns to the US without diplomatic immunity, US Attorney Preet Bharara said in a letter to District Judge Shira Scheindlin.
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