The detention of a New York police officer at the Delhi airport after he arrived with three bullets in his luggage followed by institution of charges under the Arms Act is apparently being viewed by the US authorities as a revenge for the controversial arrest and strip-search of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, suggests a media report.
Citing unnamed law enforcement sources, the New York Post reported on Friday that the police officer, Manny Encarnacion, was arrested at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on March 10 and later released on a $1,000 bail, but he is forbidden from leaving the country until his case plays out in court.
The tabloid claims that while arresting Encarnacion after finding three bullets in his checked luggage, a police officer at the Delhi Airport reportedly commented: “You guys like to strip-search our diplomats.”
“The NYPD (New York Police Department) is facing an uphill battle trying to help Encarnacion, trying for weeks to get the well-liked detective candidate and ex-Marine cleared. They sent a letter to Indian officials explaining the innocent mistake,” the Post reported, noting that if found guilty, the officer could face up to seven years in an Indian prison.
The 49-year-old Encarnacion is apparently on a private visit to meet his wife, Vida, who is described as a student living in Iran. “The newlyweds had decided to meet in India because it was easy for both to travel there,” the report said.
As for the presence of bullets found in the pocket of his jacket in his suitcase, the report speaks of Encarnacion’s visit to an NYPD firing range two days before India trip, saying he “tucked three spare rounds into his jacket pocket and forgot about them”. Encarnacion, according to the report, has a local lawyer and has been in regular touch with his superiors.