Radio-tagging standard procedure: US

Soon after India strongly condemned the radio-tagging of Indian students duped by a fake university in San Francisco, the US on Monday defended the practice, saying it was "standard procedure" for a variety of investigations and did not imply guilt or suspicion of criminal activity.

Soon after India strongly condemned the radio-tagging of Indian students duped by a fake university in San Francisco, the US on Monday defended the practice, saying it was "standard procedure" for a variety of investigations and did not imply guilt or suspicion of criminal activity.

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The US also assured its department of homeland security was probing the closure of Tri-Valley University in San Francisco.

Some 1,555 students of the university, 90% of them from India, mostly Andhra Pradesh, face the prospect of deportation following the closure of the university in Pleasanton on charges of selling student visas.

"Use of ankle monitors is widespread across the United States and standard procedure for a variety of investigations, and does not necessarily imply guilt or suspicion of criminal activity," the US embassy said in a statement.

"Some of those involved in the Tri-Valley investigation have been issued ankle monitors," the embassy said.

"An ankle monitor sends a radio frequency signal containing location and other information to a receiver. It allows for freedom of movement and is a positive alternative to confinement during a pending investigation. The Department of State is following this case closely and is in regular communication with Government of India officials," the embassy said.

"The Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement division is leading the investigation, and as an ongoing investigation it would be inappropriate to discuss further details at this time," it said.

On Sunday, external affairs minister SM Krishna demanded the US government "initiate severe action against those officials responsible for this inhuman act".