Post date: Dec 21, 2013 2:42:4 PM
The father of Indian official Devyani Khobragade arrested and subjected to a strip search over alleged visa fraud says he is ready to make extra payment to her housekeeper. The head of India's Republican Party says it is possible the housekeeper worked for the United States' intelligence agency.
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA (DECEMBER 21, 2013) (ANI) - The father of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, who is at the centre of a row between the world's two largest democracies, said on Saturday (December 21) that he is ready to make an extra payment to daughter's complainant, the domestic worker, if required.
Uttam Khobragade spoke at a news conference with head of the Republican Partyof India.Devyani Khobragade, India's deputy consul general in New York, was arrested for allegedly underpaying her housekeeper Sangeeta Richard and committing visa fraud to get her into the United States.
She was released on $250,000 bail after giving up her passport and pleading not guilty to the charges, but faces a maximum of 15 years in jail if convicted on both counts.
The diplomat's father said that he has always fought for the poor and if the need arises, he will make the extra payment.
"I have fought for so many poor people here. At the base there were employees who were temporary and I made them permanent. I am fighting for them from so many years. I have shown the agreement to the High Court, highlighting that higher payment than mentioned in the agreement was made but if court insists, then let her (Sangeeta Richard) say it and we are ready to make the payment. There is no issue of money," said Uttam Khobragade during the news conference.
Indian Republican Party leader Ramdas Athawale speculated that Richard could be an agent of the U.S.'s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
"We are not directly saying that she is an agent of the CIA but there is a possibility and India's investigation department has also portrayed such doubts. We are saying that it is possible, why so much injustice was done to her (Devyani Khobragade)?" said Athawale while addressing the conference.
The Indian Embassy in Washington, in a written statement, accused blackmail attempts by Richard demanding that she be allowed to change her passport and visa status to work elsewhere.
The embassy also called on U.S. authorities to arrest Richard for stealing cash, a mobile phone and documents from Khobragade.
The U.S. Justice Department confirmed that Khobragade was strip-searched. A senior Indian government source has also said the interrogation included a cavity search.
While common in the United States, jail strip searches have prompted legal challenges from civil liberties groups concerned that the practice is degrading and unnecessary.
India's Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said work conditions of Indians employed in U.S. consulates would be investigated to root out any violations of labour laws, and that there would be a freeze on the duty-free import of alcohol and food for diplomatic staff.