Washington, United States (July 12, 2014): According to certain media reports the US Department of Justice has informed a US court that former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh continues to enjoy immunity in lawsuit related to human rights violation filed against him in by a Sikh NGO.
Even though Dr. Manmohan Singh is no longer the head of the State, he still enjoys immunity the US Department of Justice reportedly told the US court.
Manmohan Singh
DoJ filed response to a petition filed by the New York-based Sikh for Justice (SFJ) in which it argued that since Manmohan Singh is no longer the prime minister of India, the clause of immunity does not apply on him.
Last September, when Manmohan Singh visited the US to meet US President Barack Obama at the White House, SFJ had filed a case of human rights violations against him.
The US court had also issued summons to the prime minister.
In May 2014, when Manmohan Singh was still the prime minister of India, the US Department of Justice informed the court that he enjoyed the immunity as the head of the State.
After May 16, the Sikh for Justice argued that Manmohan Singh no longer enjoys immunity as he is not the prime minister.
The court had given the Department of Justice time till July 10 to respond. There was no immediate reaction from the Sikh for Justice.