With no concrete progress yet in resolving the stalemate over the arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, her lawyer has sought a one-month extension of the deadline for indictment to afford more time for discussions to hammer out a solution.
But New York’s tough US Attorney of Indian origin Preet Bharara has sought to put his foot down by vehemently opposing any extension of the current January 13 deadline. Apparently firm on proceeding with the indictment without any delay, Bharara’s office has taken the stand that “plea discussions” can continue even after Khobragade is formally charged.
As of Tuesday morning, it remained to be seen what view US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn would take on the contradictory positions put forth by the two sides. But Bharara stated emphatically that the timing of an indictment was the government’s discretion that could not be altered by the defendant.
While seeking extension of the indictment deadline by 30 days till February 12, defence lawyer Daniel Arshack spoke of “significant communications” that have been held between the prosecution and the defence and amongst other government officials, adding: “It is our strong view that the pressure of the impending deadline is counterproductive to continued communications.”
If this communication in favour of waiving the 30-day time limit for filing indictment indicated a forward movement in consultations to resolve the tangle, the firm stand taken by Attorney Bharara appeared to dash those hopes for any expeditious resolution. In his counter to the defence request, Bharara opposed extension of the deadline and took the stand that “plea discussions” could continue even after Khobragade is formally indicted in the case.
While the Indian Government has demanded withdrawal of the whole case against the diplomat and an apology from the US authorities for the way she was arrested and subjected to a humiliating search, Bharara spoke of discussions held in the hope of negotiating a plea deal.