US lawyer asks judge to drop Indian diplomat case

NEW YORK (AP) — A lawyer for an Indian diplomat who was strip-searched when arrested and then complied with a Department of State order to leave the United States has asked the trial judge to dismiss her case.

Attorney Daniel Arshack says in papers filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court charges and arrest warrants should be dismissed against his client. He says she was protected by diplomatic immunity since she was charged last month.

A spokesman for prosecutors has declined to comment.

Diplomat Devyani Khobragade left the United States last week after she was indicted on charges she fraudulently obtained a work visa for her housekeeper and lied about the housekeeper's pay.

The Indian government responded by asking Washington to withdraw a diplomat from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. The United States has complied.