WASHINGTON, July 15: A New York-based separatist Sikh organisation, which has been instrumental in getting summons issued to top Indian political leaders, has been accused of issuing threats and abuse of judicial process by a delegation of senior Indian Sikh leaders who have complained to the US government.
A delegation of Sikh leaders led by Manjit Singh GK, president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee which is closely aligned to Punjab’s ruling Akali Dal, submitted a memorandum to the State Department against New York-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).
SFJ had filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the 2002 riots in Gujarat when he had visited the US last year in September.
The US, however, had said that Modi enjoys immunity since he is the head of a foreign government.
SFJ had also filed a lawsuit against Congress President Sonia Gandhi in September 2013 in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, which was dismissed by a US court. The group had moved a petition against the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh which too was rejected on the ground of immunity.
Based on an alleged human rights violations case filed by SFJ, a New York court had recently issued summons against Manjit Singh.
In the memorandum submitted to Eileen O’Connor, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Manjit Singh alleged that SFJ have resorted to abuse of judicial system.
The delegation included Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Avtar Singh Hit, Kulwant Singh Baath, Gurdev Singh Bhola, Chaman Singh and Harvinder Singh KP.
“The government of United States of America should carefully examine and penalize such organisations,” it said.
In a statement, SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said filing of a frivolous complaint with Department of State carries serious criminal and civil consequences.
“We will make sure that GK-Sirsa duo who are raising funds at the behest of SAD (Badal) for the upcoming Punjab elections are not allowed back in America,” Pannun threatened. (PTI)
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