From Indiatimes · Raj Shekhar Jha · · 1m 50s
MEA slams US court summons to Doval, RAW ex-chief Goel
India dismisses US court summons targeting national security adviser and ex-RAW chief as frivolous.
In brief
India dismisses US court summons targeting national security adviser and ex-RAW chief as frivolous. India's MEA called US court summons naming national security adviser Ajit Doval and former R&AW chief Samant Goel as a frivolous lawsuit with fabricated claims. Originally reported by Indiatimes.
US court summons
US court sent legal summons to India naming national security adviser Ajit Doval and former R&AW chief Samant Goel as defendants.
“US court civil summons naming national security adviser Ajit Doval and former R&AW chief Samant Goel”
MEA reaction
MEA dismissed US court summons as a frivolous lawsuit with fabricated and malicious claims.
“MEA slams US court summons to Doval, RAW ex-chief Goel”
Legal basis
MEA stated requests for judicial documents in India must go through ministry of law and justice.
“Requests for the service of judicial documents in India can only be routed through India's designated central authority, that is, the ministry of law and justice”
Background
US state department notified India via diplomatic note about civil suit filed by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
“US state department notifying India via a diplomatic note about a civil suit filed by SFJ member Pannun”
Previous cases
Former PM Manmohan Singh was served with similar summons in 2.013 for alleged human rights violations.
“Former PM Manmohan Singh was served with a civil summons in 2013 in connection with a suit filed by the same outfit, SFJ, alleging human rights violations related to 1984”
Historical precedent
Former Chinese president Jiang Zemin was served with similar summons in 2002.
“Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin was also served a similar summons in 2002”
Case outcome
Both suits were eventually dismissed by courts.
“Both suits were eventually dismissed”
Current case
US court summons came ahead of Nov 20 sentencing of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national arrested by US.
“The court order in the Pannun case came ahead of the Nov 20 sentencing of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national arrested by the US in the matter”
US clarification
US state department clarified action was carried out in compliance with court instructions.
“The state department note also clarified that the action was carried out in compliance with court instructions and does not indicate any US position on the case”
Legal explanation
US stated performance of state department functions does not indicate US position on case merits.
“The performance of state department of its statutory functions under 28 USC (US Codes). 1608 should not be construed as an indication in any way of the US’s’ position or views on whether plaintiffs have properly complied with all statutory requirements of the FSIA (Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act)”
Legal context
US court summons was described as a routine procedural step by sources.
“Sources described the move as a 'routine, procedural step'”
Timeline
US court served summons to Indian embassy in Washington on Oct 9.
“Summons served by US court said to be ‘routine, procedural step’”
Legal history
US federal court in Washington DC issued summons to former PM in 2013.
“In 2013, a federal court in Washington DC had issued summons to Singh during his visit to Washington”
Current status
US court summons dismissed as frivolous by India's MEA.
“MEA slams US court summons to Doval, RAW ex-chief Goel”
What matters most
India's MEA called US court summons naming national security adviser Ajit Doval and former R&AW chief Samant Goel as a frivolous lawsuit with fabricated claims.
