(Image source from: Devyani Khobragade case: Bharara opposes deadline extension plea})

Preet Bharara, the US prosecutor handling Devyani Khobragade case, has reportedly told a judge in New York that his office is not in favour of extending the deadline given for charging the Indian diplomat in the visa fraud case, as in his opinion the discussions on the plea can be carried on even after she is indicted. According to reports, Khobragade has asked for an extension of the indictment deadline by one month.

Daniel Arshack, the lawyer of Khobragade, had sought an extension of the preliminary hearing date by one month, from the current January 13 deadline to February 12, 2014, with magistrate judge Sarah Netburn. India-born Bharara, while responding to Arshack request, in his written reply to judge Sarah Netburn said that the government is not in favour of postponement of the indictment deadline. The US prosecutor felt that the plea discussion going on between the Indian diplomat and his office, for which the extension is being sought, can continue even after Khobragade is charged.

The Indian government is apprehensive regarding the Indo-US relations in the long-term, while it awaits full diplomatic immunity for Khobragade, with the grant of G-1 visa by US. India has also made it known to the US that business between the two nations won't be as usual unless Devyani Khobragade is extended full immunity as counselor in India's permanent mission to the UN.

(Picture Source: hindustantimes.com)

(AW: Pratima Tigga)