“The Deputy Consul General (later) received a phone call from a lawyer who refused to identify himself and offered to settle the matter that would result in grant of permanent citizenship to her and a huge compensation. It became clear that this was a conspiracy and some people trapped her,” he said, adding the treatment meted out to Khobragade had “not happened out of blue” and there is a “history” behind it.
Significantly, the family of the maid, Sangeeta Richards, was granted visa by the US embassy despite India being in touch with Americans since her disappearance and cancellation of her official passport in June. The family - Sangeeta's husband Philip and two children- left for New York on December 10, just two days before Khobragade was arrested.
Given the “odd” timing of the departure of the family of the maid and arrest of Indian diplomat, there is a feeling that there were three rings of “charade” as Americans facilitated a visa fraud even after being told by India that there was a risk of illegal immigration by Sangeeta and her family.
There is also resentment among officials here who feel that the US department gave “dead wrong” information about Indian mission being informed in writing in September of allegations of abuse made by an Indian national against Khobragade and that they were in touch with India on the issue.
Meanwhile, Khobragade was yesterday transferred to India's Permanent Mission to UN to give her fuller diplomatic immunity.
