Political India: Engaging America

From The Hindu

The Indian Embassy here said it had taken up the question of diplomatic immunity for Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath with the State Department.

Earlier a State Department spokesman has said that the question of granting diplomatic immunity to Indian Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, in a case that had been filed against him in the United States, was “under review.”

In response to a question from The Hindu, Assistant Secretary of State P.J. Cowley said, “We are following closely a civil complaint involving Minister Kamal Nath. This is still a legal process that is unfolding.”

Mr. Nath faces the possibility of prosecution under a case filed against him in April 2010 by, alleging that he was involved in the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.

Mr. Crowley added that it was unclear as to whether there was any “live action against Minister Nath” and what its content might be, pointing out that the plaintiffs, an NGO called Sikhs for Justice, had until February 9 to file an amended complaint.

Mr. Crowley’s comment that the State Department “had not made any determination at this point,” came even as Virander Paul, Minister for Press at the Indian embassy in Washington, confirmed to The Hindu that India had taken up the question of diplomatic immunity Mr. Nath, with the State Department.

“The State Department is examining it,” Mr. Paul said, adding that the embassy had not yet received an answer on its query.