Devyani row: Bharara's office refuses to comment on India's response

The office of American prosecutor Preet Bharara, whose decision to charge Devyani Khobargade on visa fraud touched off a furor in India, on Friday refused to comment on India's strong response to his statement.

When contacted by PTI, Bharara's office responded by saying, "He will not be available for any comment."

His office also said, "We do not have any comment on the Indian government's response" to the remarks of Bharara, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Bharara had defended the action against India's Deputy Consul General in New York 39-year-old Khobragade, who was arrested on December 12 on visa fraud charges.

He vowed to hold those breaking the law accountable "no matter how powerful, rich or connected they are".

He also confirmed that the family of Khobragade's maid has been "evacuated" from India.

India hit back at Bharara, accusing him of interfering with its legal system and asserting that the arrest was not in keeping with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic immunity.

Meanwhile, a United Nations spokesman said that he did not have any comment "for now" on Khobragade's transfer to the Indian Permanent Mission to the UN.

Earlier, India said it has transferred Khobragade to its Permanent Mission at UN to give her full diplomatic immunity.

Image: Preet Bharara