An Indian diplomat arrested and strip-searched in New York after being accused of lying about how much she paid her housekeeper has left the United States, according to the Associated Press.

Devyani Khobragade had been ordered to leave the U.S. after she was indicted on criminal charges of visa fraud and making false statements, and the Indian authorities refused to waive her immunity.

A senior US government official in Washington says she departed from John F Kennedy International Airport in New York City night headed for India.

The diplomat is accused of fraudulently obtaining a work visa for her New York housekeeper. She says she is innocent.

The charges and her strip-search last month have drawn protests from Indian officials.