The Indian diplomat, whose arrest lead to a diplomatic row between United States and India, has departed from the US.
According to officials, Devyani Khobragade was order to exit from US on Thursday after her indictment on criminal charges and India’s refusal to waive her immunity.
According to a senior US official, Khobragade had departed from New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport on Thursday night, heading for India.
Indian foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said: “At the time of her departure to India, Counsellor Khobragade reiterated her innocence of charges filed against her.
“This was a matter of principle on how our diplomats are treated,” said the spokesman, calling the US handling of the case “inexplicable”.
Khobragde was India’s deputy consul general in New York who was arrested in New York last month on charges of visa fraud and of underpaying her housekeeper .
An outrage sparked from India on its diplomat’s handcuffing and strip-search, and US was demanded to tender an apology for her “humiliation”.
On Thursday, US officials accepted India’s request to accredit Ms Khobragade to the UN.
Washington then asked the Indian government to waive her immunity but India refused, so the US then “requested her departure”, US officials said.
US prosecutors say the charges against the diplomat would remain pending.
Distressed damsel of India exits US
