Devyani Khobragade (left) and Neerja Bhanot. Devyani Khobragade (left) and Neerja Bhanot.

Kin of Pan Am Flight 73 victims lashed out at American double standards in taking up the issue of diplomat Devyani Khobragade's maid Sangeeta Richard while claiming international law and longstanding practice forbade them from taking up claims and cases of foreign nationals in their case.The US was paid 1.5 billion dollars in compensation by Libya. This was given to American victims of the ill-fated Pan Am Flight 73 but not shared with the 120 Indian victims including 13 who were killed in the hijacking. India awarded Ashok Chakra, the highest gallantry award in peace time to Neerja Bhanot the chief flight pursuer who made the supreme sacrifice of her life, saving three American children.Her brother Avneesh Bhanot has once again approached the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to expose American double standards. "The US which claims to champion the cause of a domestic help Sangeeta Richard has told victims of Pan Am flight 73 that it is not in a position to pursue the claims of Indian nationals against another state. Devyani Khobragade is an Indian national. The maid is an Indian national who travelled to the US on an Indian 'Official' passport. So how can the US take up an Indian national's claim against another Indian national in the US? Where is the longstanding US practice and international law in this case," he asks.Pan Am Flight 73 took off from Mumbai for New York in September 1986. It landed in Karachi for refueling. That is when four terrorists from Libya dressed as security officials carrying grenades and automatic weapons boarded the American aircraft. The pilots and cockpit crew hearing the commotion inside the aircraft and seeing men with weapons escaped through the security hatch. Quick thinking Neerja concluded that terrorists were looking for American nationals. She immediately hid their passports. There was a 17 hour stand-off as the Libyan terrorists demanded another flight crew to take the aircraft to Cyprus."The all Indian cabin crew saved lives of 41 Americans on board at grave risk to their own lives. In fact as the Libyan terrorists suddenly opened fire and threw grenades, Neerja flung herself to protect three young American children. She died saving American lives," says her brother with pride. However, the US despite getting 1.5 billion dollars from Libya as compensation in 2008 has refused to compensate Indian victims of the hijacking. "The American plane as per aviation laws is American territory. The Libyans were attacking American nationals and interest. 13 Indians were killed but the great champion of human rights the United States abandoned the Indians," an official familiar with the case said.The kin of Pan Am Flight 73 victims have once again appealed to the MEA not to let the US "trample upon" their rights.13 Indians sacrificed their lives while saving but the great champion of human rights the United States abandoned the Indians.