Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade will not only be exempt from appearing in pre-trial proceedings but all subsequent court proceedings as well once she gets her new visa from the U.S. State Department, said official sources.
Dr. Khobragade has received accreditation as a full diplomat in India’s Permanent Mission at the United Nations in New York.
She was moved to this position as the U.S. does not recognise consular employees – she was Deputy Consular General at New York Consulate – as full diplomats.
The pre-trial exemption, according to the understanding of officials, was given by legal authorities and not by the court hearing visa fraud charges against the diplomat.
The U.N. but is yet to receive a fresh visa from the US State Department due to the Christmas shut-down. The understanding is once she gets the new visa as well, she cannot be compelled to go to the court for the trial too.
However, the diplomat still does not have access to travel documents since the passport has been deposited with the court. Asked of if she will get alternate papers to travel after getting the new visa from the US State Department, officials remained noncommittal.
“Let us take this one at a time,’’ they suggested.
