Diplomat's daughter sues NY for $1.5m

An Indian diplomat's daughter is suing the city of New York for $1.5 million for wrongful arrest.

Krittika Biswas — daughter of the vice-counsel at the Indian consulate in Manhattan, Debashish Biswas — was taken from her high school in handcuffs on February 8 and held for more than 24 hours on suspicion of sending obscene emails to her teacher. The 18-year-old was later cleared as another student was found to be the culprit.

Biswas claims she was also not allowed to use the bathroom for a long time while in custody. "Eventually, I had to go in front of everyone", she said, referring to a toilet in a shared cell.

Her lawyer, Rajiv Batra, said Biswas had diplomatic immunity and that neither her father, nor the consulate general of India were informed about the arrest. However, the consulate general said US authorities had told him the immunity did not extend to family members.

"They based it on nothing," Biswas said, adding that the school did not suspend or arrest the real culprit. "I don't know why he wasn't arrested... the principal pushed for my arrest."

The city law department declined to comment. Sources said India has taken up the matter with the US. "We are intrigued that the student who sent the emails went scot-free."

First Published: May 25, 2011 08:40 IST