Devyani seeks dismissal of charges, return to US
The Indian diplomat whose arrest and strip search in New York City ignited a diplomatic spat between nations has filed a motion seeking the dismissal of the charges, her attorney said Wednesday.
The diplomat, Devyani Khobragade, left the US last week amid federal charges that she lied on a visa application for her housekeeper. A dismissal of the charges against her would allow her to reenter the United States, where her husband and two daughters reside, said her attorney, Daniel Arshack. A hearing is set for January 31.
A motion filed in federal court Tuesday asked that the case be thrown out, saying the court "does not have jurisdiction over the Defendant due to the Defendant's diplomatic status which provides her absolute immunity from criminal prosecution in the United States.
Khobragade told CNN, through an intermediary, that the charges against her "are false and baseless."
"I look forward to demonstrating that to all of you," she said through the intermediary.
Khobragade "affirmed her determination to ensure that the episode would not leave a lasting impact on her family, in particular, her children, who are still in the United States," the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said.
New Delhi is demanding that Washington apologize and have the charges dropped.
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