Devyani’s father Uttam Khobragade says diplomat rejected compromise offer

New Delhi – Hours after Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade was indicted for visa fraud, her father claimed that she had rejected an offer to “compromise” and stay in the United States as she was fighting to uphold the sovereignty of the country.

Uttam Khobragade also said that his 39-year-old daughter’s return vindicates their stand that any dispute can only be adjudicated in Indian courts.

“Devyani left the US soil today with full diplomatic immunity vindicating the stand that that whatever dispute is being raised in the US is a prerogative of the sovereign country India and can only be adjudicated in Indian courts,” he said.

Khobragade, a retired IAS officer, claimed that this was of paramount importance to her even when feelers were given that if she compromises with her basic principles, she can continue to stay in the US.

“She rejected that offer outright. She is a proud Indian giving more importance to the sovereignty of this country and dignity of the judicial system of India over the personal relief being offered and decided that her country’s sovereignty is dearer than her personal life and comfort,” he said.

The 1999 batch IFS officer was today indicted for visa fraud and making false statements by a grand jury in New York which held that the charges against her will remain even as she headed back to India after being accorded full diplomatic immunity.

The charges against Khobragade will remain and she will have to face trial, if she returns to the US without diplomatic immunity, US Attorney Preet Bharara had said in a letter to District Judge Shira Scheindlin.