Date:17/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/17/stories/2008081755520800.htm

International - India & World

U.S. court dismisses plea in Sonia case

New York: A New Jersey court has dismissed a defamation suit filed by a U.S.-based group seeking $100 million from several parties for allegedly maligning Congress president Sonia Gandhi during her visit here last year.

It said the outfit had no locus standi to claim damages.

The case was filed by the Indian National Overseas Congress against the parties for bringing a full-page advertisement in New York Times that levelled several accusations against Sonia and her son Rahul coinciding with the UPA chairperson’s visit to the U.N. last year.

“Not proper party”

The defendants’ lawyer Marc D. Haefner said the judge on Friday held that INOC was not the proper party and did not have the locus standi to bring a claim of defamation because none of the statements was of or about it.

A detailed judgment would be made available next week. — PTI