News Politics National US court asks Sonia Gandhi to provide passport copy by April 7

US court asks Sonia Gandhi to provide passport copy by April 7

New York: A US court has ordered Congress President Sonia Gandhi to provide a copy of her passport as documentary evidence by April 7 to determine if she was in America in September last year

Responding to Cogan's order, Gandhi's attorney Ravi Batra said the judge “focused on Gandhi's sworn declaration, has asked for documentary supporting proof to expedite issue-resolution and not waste time on SFJ-sponsored wild goose chases.

Swift justice, when available, is to be cherished, and as attorneys for Gandhi, we welcome it.” Batra has submitted in court a letter written to him on an All India Congress Committee letterhead and signed by Gandhi.

In the letter, Gandhi states that contrary to claims made by SFJ, she was not in New York in September last year and was not served summons in the case.

SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said if Gandhi is not able to provide proof by April 7 corroborating her claim of absence from the US, the group would move the court to initiate trial on the merits against her on charges of shielding and protecting Congress party leaders allegedly involved in the anti-Sikh riots in 1984.