New York, December 30
The US is proceeding with the prosecution of senior Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade and has no intention to withdraw the case of visa fraud against her.

US sources here said today that more evidence was being gathered against the 39-year-old diplomat before the indictment was filed.

The deadline for indictment is January 13.

There is no question of apologising to India over the arrest of Khobragade, the then Deputy Consul General of India, in New York on December 12 that has led to strong protests by the Indian Government and widespread indignation in India.

The Indian Government has demanded withdrawal of the case and an apology for the treatment meted out to the diplomat.

Sources said the US Government intended to proceed with the prosecution of Khobragade. The indictment would be brought, they emphasised. Everything with regard to the Indian diplomat had been done by the book and there was no nefarious motive, they added.

The sources replied in the negative when asked if Khobragade, who has been transferred from the Indian Consulate to the country’s mission to the UN subsequent to her arrest, enjoyed full diplomatic immunity at present. They, however, conceded if the diplomat got UN immunity she could not be prosecuted or brought to court for the period of immunity. The case would be in “suspension”, but would not be dismissed, they said.

After getting UN immunity, if she went back to India and returned to the US on a visit, she could face arrest since the charges against her would stand, they added. — PTI

* More evidence is being gathered against senior Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade who faces a visa-fraud case in the US

* The deadline for filing indictment in the case is January 13

* There is no question of apology over her arrest, sources say.