Devyani case third instance of maids accusing Indian diplomats

Bhardwaj, 45 had filed a forced labour-suit against Dayal accusing him of treating her as a slave and making sexual advances.

However, Bhardwaj had later dropped charges of sexual harassment against the Indian envoy in an ‘amended complaint' but maintained that she had to sleep on “a mattress on the floor in a small storage room”.

Earlier in July 2010, a complaint was filed in a federal court by Shanti Gurung who accused diplomat Neena Malhotra and her husband Jogesh of kidnapping, trafficking her and ill-treatment.

Gurung accused the Malhotras of harassment and “slavery”.  A US Magistrate Judge had later recommended that Gurung be awarded USD 1.5 million in compensation by the Malhotras.  

However the Delhi High Court had restrained Gurung from pursuing her lawsuit in the US.

The Delhi court had also accepted the argument that Neena is a diplomat in the services of the Government of India and was sent in official capacity to the US and thus enjoys Sovereign immunity.