Ms. Devjani Khobragade, the Deputy Consul General of India in the USA was arrested on 12 th December, in full public view. As a matter of fact she was allegedly handcuffed on the street when she dropped her kids to school in New York City. She was then strip searched by a female officer of the NYPD before being jailed with drug addicts for company.
The Indian government took a tough stand against this treatment of their diplomat in a country which is a huge democracy, like itself. It accused the US of highhandedness meted out to Indian officials, while American embassy officials enjoy VIP treatment here. The road opposite the US consulate in New Delhi is kept clear for the safety and quick passage of US embassy staff. The barricades were withdrawn and all privileges given to the Americans in India were cancelled.
The US authorities, meanwhile, deny handcuffing her. They've gone on record saying that the strip search was standard procedure before taking a person into custody.She was allowed to use her phone for two hours after she was arrested.
The charges against Ms.Khobragade,39 were a) lying about her maiid's pay during visa declaration b)exploitation of the maid by over work and lower pay. The diplomat was served the sub peona on 11th December on these charges.
You may read the unfolding of events here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devyani_Khobragade
It is to be noted that Ms.Khobragade, the daughter of a retired highly placed Indian bureaucrat, had owned a flat in the controversial Adarsh Housing Society in Mumbai!She was one of the illegal beneficiaries in that scam. Her father was CEO of Maharashtra Housing And Development Association(MHADA).
The problem with some Indian bureaucrats is they are used(privileged) to go scott free for discrepancies in their work. They are used by corrupt politicians to flout norms and given their share of the loot.
People like these diminish India's national image all over the world.
If Ms.Khobragade had done the same in her home country, it wouldn't have been noticed at all. She just chose the wrong place to go wrong.
Yet, she should have been treated with dignity(consular immunity) and not stripsearched and dumped with druggies. Indian government should stop pleasing the US(for investments) at the stake of national interests. And the people of India must wake up and elect deserving individuals as representatives in the government.
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