US court scraps lawsuit against Modi

A US court here has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by a rights group for his alleged role in the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat, upholding the Obama administration's stance that he enjoys immunity as a sitting head of a foreign government.
US District Judge Analisa Torres of the Southern District of New York said in the three-page order issued Wednesday that "in light of the determination by the Executive Branch that Prime Minister Modi is entitled to immunity as the sitting head of a foreign government, he is immune from the jurisdiction of this Court in this suit. "
Torres said the court considered arguments made by plaintiffs American Justice Centre (AJC) and "finds them to be without merit" and "unpersuasive."
"The complaint is dismissed," Torres ruled directing that the case be closed.
AJC did not respond to a query seeking comment on the ruling. The court ruling comes as Modi prepares to host President Barack Obama, who will be the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
The lawsuit was filed by New York-based AJC in September last year, just days before Modi arrived in the US to attend the UN General Assembly session.