Devyani Khobragade had full diplomatic immunity at the time of arrest

“Her arrest, therefore, on December 12th 2013 was contrary to her status on that date,” sources said.  The sources also said India has taken up the matter with the US State Department.

The 1999-batch IFS officer was arrested on December 12 on charges of making false declarations in a visa application for her maid Sangeeta Richards.

The diplomat was released on a USD 250,000 bond after being charged with visa fraud.  

Subsequent revelations that she was strip searched and held with criminals triggered a row between the two sides with India downgrading privileges of certain category of US diplomats among other steps.