Advocacy group urges lawmakers to look into diplomat's arrest

WASHINGTON: Condemning the procedures adopted by law enforcement agencies while arresting Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade last week, an Indian-American advocacy group has sought the help of US lawmakers in investigating the circumstances of her arrest and the procedures followed.

"We are making inquiries and asking our Members of Congress to investigate the arrest procedures of Ms (Devyani) Khobragade," US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) chairman Sanjay Puri said, adding that "Failure in diplomatic protocol can cause irreversible damage" to bilateral ties.

The group has described as "offensive" the statement by State Department spokesperson Marie Harf, that "standard procedures" were followed and that this is merely an "isolated episode."

"Strip search, cavity search and DNA swabbing is not 'standard procedure'. USINPAC unequivocally asserts that the dignity and respect due to any person and any diplomat is non-negotiable," he said.