(Image source from: Devyani Khobragade's charges won't be withdrawn: US})

New Delhi's two demands that the US withdraw charges against Devyani Khobragade and to apologise for the alleged harsh treatment has been ruled out. Meanwhile, US Attorney Preet Bharara, who had arrested Khobragade over visa fraud charges, said that the Indian diplomat was not handcuffed after arrest, and due courtesy was accorded to her.

The US state department spokesperson, Marie Harf stated that allegations that Devyani Khobragade has been charged with are taken seriously. These allegations were related to law enforcement issues and there was no question of withdrawing charges, she added while saying that Khobragade could not go "scott free".

The spokesperson further added that every year the US informs diplomats of all the countries there via diplomatic notes about the rules and regulations they have to follow regarding the staff they bring and the obligations they have to follow while staying in the United States. She also refused to distance the US state department from Preet Bharara's statement, as were being reported in India.

Thirtynine-year-old Khobragade was arrested on charges of visa fraud on December 12. Presently she is posted at India's Permanent Mission in New York. The 1999-batch IFS officer has since been released on a bond of $250,000 after she pleaded not guilty in court.

(Picture Source: static2.businessinsider.com)

(AW: Pratima Tigga)