Sonia Gandhi declines to provide passport copy to US court

The SFJ has sought compensatory and punitive damages from Gandhi for her alleged role in “shielding and protecting” Congress party leaders including Kamal Nath, Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler from prosecution for their alleged role in the 1984 riots.

Gandhi's attorney Ravi Batra on Monday submitted before the court that his client has “nothing to hide”.  

Batra handed over to court as exhibit a letter dated April 5 signed by Gandhi to him in which she states that “in matters of disclosure of my travels, which are contained in the passport document, the Government of India has informed me that they would not permit such a disclosure.  

“However, as I have nothing to hide, I voluntarily relinquish the plea of lack of personal jurisdiction. I may add that the present submission is without prejudice to the plea of want of jurisdiction in relation to the subject matter.”

Batra, in his submission to court, said he was informed over the weekend that the Indian government has refused to permit the release of 67-year-old Gandhi's passport because of “concerns with respect to her personal security and keeping confidential the methods used to protect her.