India’s Deputy Consul general in New York Devyani Khobragade who was arrested for allegedly presenting fraudulent documents in support of a visa application for an Indian national employed by her, has been released on Friday from custody on a USD 250,000 bond.

Khobragade, 39, was held on charges that she allegedly caused a materially false and fraudulent document to be presented, and materially false and fraudulent statements to be made, to the US Department of State in support of a visa application for an the Indian national employed as a babysitter and housekeeper at her home in New York.

The Indian Embassy in Washington released a statement saying it had “immediately conveyed its strong concern” to the US Government over the action taken against Khobragade.

“The US side have been urged to resolve the matter with due sensitivity, taking into account…the Diplomatic status of the officer concerned,” the Embassy said in the statement.

The arrest sent shock waves among the Indian diplomatic corps in New York with some officers saying it is unprecedented and and inappropriate for a diplomat to be arrested.

Khobragade was released on a $250,000 bond and submitted her diplomatic passport in court. Freeman ordered that Khobragade cannot leave the country but can travel within the US only if she gives advance notification of her travels.

Her lawyer told the judge that his client is “not subject to prosecution” as she “enjoys immunity as a Consulate officer”. Her lawyer will be filing claims of diplomatic immunity in the case and relevant papers in court.

Two officials from the Consulate were also present during the hearing. As she walked out of the courtroom after the hearing, Khobragade smiled and hugged a couple of her friends who had come for the hearing.