US judge throws out lawsuit against Modi

Published January 15, 2015
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. — Reuters/File
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. — Reuters/File

NEW YORK: A US judge in New York on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that accused him of “attempted genocide” over deadly anti-Muslim riots in 2002.

Judge Analisa Torres threw out the suit on the grounds that Modi is immune from the court’s jurisdiction after the US government said he is entitled to immunity as a sitting head of government.

The American Justice Centre, a human rights group, filed the civil suit against Modi in September, accusing him of initiating and condoning the massacre, and holding him responsible for the deaths.

The outbreak of anti-Muslim violence left at least 1,000 people dead in 2002 in the western Indian state of Gujarat, where Modi was then chief minister before he was elected prime minister in 2014.

Modi denies any wrongdoing and the Indian courts have cleared him of all charges, but he remains tainted by the episode. The judge’s decision comes two weeks before US President Barack Obama is to be guest of honour at India’s Republic Day celebrations on Jan 26.

Published in Dawn January 15th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Not cricket
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Not cricket

It is high time that the PCB sets things right; even if it demands a complete overhaul of the system.
Balochistan deadlock
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Balochistan deadlock

Akhtar Mengal’s demands to release women activists should seriously be considered.
Escalating brutality
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Escalating brutality

The world’s patience is running out. Israel must be held accountable under international law for war crimes.
Electricity relief
Updated 05 Apr, 2025

Electricity relief

If govt ensures that requisite power reforms are implemented, it will earn much praise for reforming a vital segment of the economy.
Trump’s trade wars
Updated 05 Apr, 2025

Trump’s trade wars

Shoddy math applied by US to indiscriminately penalise its trading partners signals the end of an era of global trade liberalisation.
Legalised land grab
Updated 05 Apr, 2025

Legalised land grab

The Modi government from its inception has been attacking India’s minorities, the largest such community in its crosshairs being the Muslims.