NEW YORK: THE US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) said on Wednesday that summons issued by a Los Angeles Federal Court was served on Indian filmstar Amitab Bachchan on Feb 23 through his Hollywood manager.

The lawsuit against Bachchan by the group has been filed “for instigating the genocidal violence against the Sikh community by raising ‘blood for blood’ slogans in 1984”, a press release here said.

Bachchan’s manager in the Hollywood, David Unger, was served with a copy of the Federal Court summons and complaint by the plaintiff, the human rights group “Sikhs For Justice” . Mr Unger is a known talent agent and co-owner of “Three Six Zero Entertainment” group. He represents leading artists from US, UK, France, India, China, and Russia.

As per the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Bachchan has 21 days after the service of summons to respond to the charges of human rights violations. “If you failed to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for relief demanded in the complaint,” warns the Federal Court summons. Bachchan has till March 17 to respond to the charges of human rights violations.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2015

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