Anti-Sikh riots of 1984: Congress to respond on June 24 to US court

The Congress has sought time till June 24 from a US court to respond to charges of 'conspiring, aiding, abetting' the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 in a case filed by a community group.

Adam Finkel, from New York-based law firm Sabharwal Nordin & Finkel which is also a counsel for Union minister Kamal Nath in this case, also wrote to Judge Robert Sweet requesting for a conference.

Earlier this month, a district court in New York summoned the Congress in a civil action filed by New York-based organisation Sikh For Justice (SFJ) that levelled charges on the party of 'conspiring, aiding, abetting and carrying out organised attacks on the Sikh population of India' in 1984.

The lawyers representing the party has sought time till June 24 to file a response.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal adviser to SFJ, said the group would oppose the request for extra time.

"Congress' request for time to file response is part of its plan to stall the case, delay the prosecution and tire out the witnesses and victims, as it has done for the past 26 years," he said.

"Three months is very reasonable... and they don't have an excuse".

Pannun added that a response was expected by April 1. The case, which was filed last year in New York, initially targeted Nath who has repeatedly denied any involvement. The proceedings are still at the pre-trial stage.