Making the controversy over the arrest and maltreatment of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobargarde murkier,
it has now emerged that the husband and two children of the absconding maid had obtained US visas and flown to New York.
The maid Sangeeta Richard’s family left for New York just two days before Dr. Khobargade was arrested, strip searched and lodged with common criminals for discrepancy in work contract with the maid Sangeeta Richards.
Ms. Richard’s family was given U.S. visas even though New Delhi had been regularly petitioning the Americans to trace her after she went missing in June and send her back to the country. There was also a court injunction against the maid after India complained that she had absconded with her diplomatic passport.
India is demanding the diplomat be allowed to return home and all charges against her dropped.
Unlike two previous cases, this was the first time the U.S. Government had filed criminal charges.
India has refuted the contention that security of the U.S. Embassy had been compromised with the removal of concrete barricades. The police picket and the usual complement of the diplomatic security force still keeps tabs on the security around the embassy.
As for narrowed parking space around the embassy, this was a reciprocal gesture after the reserved parking slot opposite the Indian Embassy in Washington was converted into a general parking lot,
Maid’s family given US visas just before diplomat's arrest - The Hindu