@Chris: well said Cris.

@Chris: Where did you get this misinformation sir? You are one of those people who think US is a paradise. It is not the case.

@Chris: Such a shame ! .... If this is what a person who happens to be an important cog in our executive machinery is capable of this should ring alarm bells all across, because this is just a symptom of the greater malice this country has been for so long a victim of, its the total disregard exhibited by a few who hold positions of importance in both our legislature and our executive machinery's towards the very authority they are bound to exude or to the authorities subservient to the will of the authority vested in them..

@Chris: Agreed! I'm glad how system works there, no matter whether it's diplomat or not. Fraud is a fraud and let it abide by law.

@Chris: US cares if you are a diplomat or a King. After all King is King, President is President. Not even US can NOT treat a diplomat and a King in the same manner.

@Chris: I hope you remember that the U.S was once occupied by red Indians whome you wiped out using guns .... You will face the complete circle my friend....You too shall be wiped out...

@Chris: I was under the impression that such people enjoy diplomatic immunity and cannot be prosecuted for illegalities. Looks like I was wrong. Anyway am happy that wrongdoers are punished the same way as an ordinary citizen.

@chris - you really believe that?!!

@Chris: All that you show is ignorance and arrogance.

As per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations 1961,,an internationally binding treaty on diplomatic relations, diplomats cannot be arrested. A case definitely can be made out against them,but that is to be reported to the Embassy and the person concerned can be declared 'persona -non -grata' and expelled.But his or her person is violable .It is up to the diplomats country to take action against him or her.
Why,US marshals have detained ambassadors for no reason at all,when an Austrian diplomat visiting an Austrian citizen in a US jail was detained and handcuffed on some pretext.
But as with the US,they do what they please as it suits them without care for law or procedure.
Countries have gone on the brink or war on such violations of this treaty.
But,does the Indian MEA have the guts.
I wonder if India will assert itself in this matter.Can we expect our people to waiver US diplomats immunity in India and retaliate?

@Chris: True. Even IMF President was handcuffed in public. However, USA applies a different yardstick if its citizen (leave alone a diplomat) arrested in another country. Remember the two US citizens who killed a Pakistani in broad daylight or the religious group which kidnapped children in Haiti during the earquake? The US government forced their release.

@Chris: who would take action and arrest the US officer for allowing free run to david headly.US arresting the lady when she has gone to drop her kid in school is outrageous.If she is a diplomat and allowed to be treated like what stops Indians to give the idiotic US diplomats the same taste of butter.

@Chris: The US Gov. protects criminals Warren Anderson of Union Carbide who was responsible for the Bhopal Gas Disaster killing thousands of people. The Indian Gov. acts like chicken when it comes to US. Our ex prsidents and renowned personalities are harassed in US airports. The US Gov thinks they can rampage and fool around the world but will not tolerate other fools. If the Indian Govt. have enough courage then they should condemn this act in the strictest possible words and educate the judge about the Vienna Convention.

@Chris: just because she is an high ranking official does not meat she is guilty....till now these are only allegations, and sangeeta Richard claiming for a maid USD 4500 pm was promised...!!!can you believe it for house maid USD 52 K PA..that's crap...

anyhow,if the allegations are there there should be investigating, but handcuffing in public is not done...Americans would not have dared do the same thing to a Russian of a Chinese official in similar instance...

this is pure highhandedness,,,,she could have been summoned and investigated....arresting and that too handcuffing when she is dropping her kids...unbelievable...

its a slap in indian government and shows the respect US officials have for India

@Chris: But why does the US handcuff a person as if he/ she is a dangerous criminal. The US preaches a lot to the rest of the world on human dignity and human rights, but in their own land, none of that applies. This is a barbaric act and belongs to the stone ages. If any American is arrested in India before he is given an opportunity to explain his conduct, all hell will break lose. Where are all the human rights activists ?

@Chris: stupid civil servants , they should remeber the are civil servatns , They are servants to the common public and not extra special humans . No one has let us down as much as the civil servants . Let her be jailed for 10 years hope Indian govt does not do any lobbying here

@Chris: Its good that no special treatment or immunity is granted to diplomats. However, the way in which the arrest in public is done of a high ranking diplomat leaves a bad taste. The authorities could have called her for inquiry and then if they found substance in the complaint, the arrest and bail could have been done. Such public drama or arrest was unwarrented...

@Chris: Really? Obviously you know nothing about the US or its history of lies by US presidents. Want some examples? Johnson - Gulf of Tonkin; Nixon: too many to name; Ford: too dumb to lie; Carter: check out Bert Lance his budget director; Reagan: Had amnesia on Iran Contra; Bush Sr: no new taxes; Clinton: you need a million pages to list his; Bush Jr: too religious to lie; Obama: beat Clinton in his first term alone

@Chris: will US do that to China?

@Chris: Not only fooling us but also mistreating someone their own national, a woman and asking extra work on no payment basis. They perhaps has Degenerated genes on this planet.

@Chris: From now on they will have to care because Indians will stand up for their dignity.

@Chris: Chris, you're a bloomin' idiot if you really believe what you said.

@Chris: Well perhaps it is time to remind US diplomats to be as law abiding in other countries as they are in the US. Even remind the State Department not to use diplomatic immunity when a non-diplomatic staffer shoots two people dead on a Lahore street

@Chris: Now what you do in U.S must stay in U.S only, It should not extend to consular affairs of other nations, Otherwise your diplomats risk being TREATED to the "STANDARD PROCEDURES" of other countries, Unfortunately India right now is ruled by a bunch of people who feel they are some U.S civil servants, May change soon... Then watch the reaction .... Till then enjoy

@Chris: I saw a lot of Chris bashing happening here. For folks that don't understand, immunity if for the decisions and actions you take official as you are representing a country.You are open to scrutiny for you personal life. Let's not get the countries pride involved here and understand both the perpetrator and victim are Indians. US had no role to place, except that you are on their land and need to respect the law of that land.

@san: Why only the bureaucrats, let us all introspect, the payments we make to maids in our households are hardly enough for them to buy milk for their children at 34 rupees per litre ?

@san: She is Deputy Consul General, living in New York and salary of $4000 per month? Why don't the lawyer mention the other allowances like free house, car?

@san: her lawyers are defending by saying "her salary is only $4000/month so she could not pay $4500/month for baby sitter. My question: then why did she agreed for 4500/month initially and how come she was able to pay $250k for her own bail?

People like this spoiling image of india. I am living overseas and sometimes i hear about india is not good feeling. I still remember at the time of comwlth games, i was feeling so much humiliated at work due to dirty politicians and thir firty work, image of india was ruined, i think modi is right when he said when u organise such a game u represent value of ur country

@san: Most of us dont even realize how much we love the Raj! This act of Slavery (servant culture) and the decision on Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, prove it!!!

@Kulmohan Singh: Why are you trying to act smart. In US, they have very clearly defined labour rates below which you cannot hire anyone even for household work. In India, we have no such laws. I welcome if our government does come up with such a law in India. But without it stop pointing fingers at us.

@Anonymous: BTW, Us judiciary is led by an Indian origin....! Its actuall the fight between two values - inequality versus VIP culture.

@Anonymous: I fully agree with you, I work abroad, and the Indian embassy is probably the worst embassy in this country, in terms of service and premises. The Pakistan embassy looks much more glamorous and is situated in the diplomatic area, where as the Indian embassy is situated in an old house, that really looks like a junk yard. The govt of this country , has even provided land to build your own embassy , but I guess the Indians have sold that piece of land to the Pakistanis.

I agree, i remember i was in indian embesdy in sydney and they shut the window at lunch time as if they are in india. Why cant they take lunch one by one. And other guy he was sipping tea and serving customers, how unprofessional

@Indian: Dude...which country are you living in? You and I (taxpayers of this country) paid for her $250,000 bond. The tab for all legal expenses incurred by Indian bureaucrats is picked up by the taxpayers.

@Indian: The 250 million dollar bond amount is likely to have been furnished by Indian Govt.

@Indian: haha good question. Indian Govt would have paid. that means you and me

@Indian: FYI. usually bonds in US are issued by thirdparty for a percentage basis..

she would have to arrance 5-10% of the amount,, based on the risk the % will change.

@Rajesh Singh: Absolutely. These diplomats pass an Exam and start to behave like kings and queens. Most of them are arrogant and does not think twice before breaking or manipulating the law. In India they can get away as people's awareness is low. Not in USA or other developed countries.