Devyani case: domestic worker governed by our laws, India told US
mangaloretoday.com
New Delhi/New York, Dec 20: India has rubbished charges by the lawyer of domestic worker Sangeeta Richard, whose allegations led to Devyani Khobragade’s arrest in New York last week.
Indian officials also say they had told the US as early as September that Ms Richard is covered by the laws of India, not America.
Ms Richard’s lawyer Dana Sussman had alleged in an interview to NDTV that her client was exploited, paid far less than she was promised, made to work 90 hours a week and not given medical insurance.
"India tried to silence and intimidate my client and her family," Ms Sussman alleged.
India has denied it and asserted that Ms Richard had full medical cover given to the staff of any diplomatic officer.
The US has charged Ms Khobragade with lying on the visa papers for Ms Richard - who worked as a domestic help at her New York home for nine months till June - and making her work at just three dollars an hour, far less than $9.75 an hour promised in an agreement.
"Devyani Khobragade is the criminal defendant; the victim is my client, the domestic worker. These are not our charges, these are charges of the US federal court," Ms Sussman said, adding that she applauded the US decision to criminally prosecute Ms Khobragade.
The lawyer alleged that the diplomat had "no intention" of paying her help fair wages and overtime. "US laws apply to everyone. Ms Richard was not given paid leave or health insurance. She worked seven days a week with a few hours off on Sunday," Ms Sussman said. This has been strongly denied by Indian officials.
India has accused US authorities of conspiracy and immigration fraud by allowing the family of Sangeeta Richard to move to America.
Ms Richard’s husband and two children flew out to the United States on December 10, just two days before the senior consular officer’s arrest. Officials say India had repeatedly warned the US since June that the domestic help was missing and could be attempting to move there.