Pennsylvania:
A senior Indian Forest Service officer has been arrested in the United States for "indecent assault" against a female hotel employee. Government sources have told NDTV that Surendra Mahapatra, a 1985 batch Forest Service officer, was arrested yesterday from a hotel in the state of Pennsylvania. He was part of a batch of over 30 officers who had gone for a mid-career training programme at New York's Syracuse University.
The course coordinator, Mr Dhirendra Bharghava, who was staying on the same floor as Mr Mahapatra, has told NDTV their version of events. He says that Mr Mahapatra had a problem with his net connection and asked the reception for help. A woman came to his room but was unable to fix it and so left, he added. Some time later, the police turned up and arrested him after the woman filed a complaint. Mr Bharghava says Mr Mahapatra is an "old man" and a "thorough gentleman".
Shreema Mahapatra, the officer's wife, told a local channel in Bhubaneswar that her husband has been framed. She said her husband phoned her and said that he had shouted at the hotel employee because the internet connection in his room was not working. She said she hopes the inquiry will clear him of the charges of sexual assault.
The Indian government is now studying the details to see what help it can offer legally. Mr Mahapatra is a joint-secretary rank officer and was travelling on an official passport. He is unlikely to get diplomatic immunity.