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Indian origin doctor settles discrimination suit for $50,000
Washington, Aug 03: In the first settlement of its kind, an Indian origin doctor has won USD 50,000 in damages and a written apology from a wing of the formidable US Homeland Security Department over his lawsuit alleging that armed Air Marshals detained him solely because of his dark skin.
Washington, Aug 03: In the first settlement of its kind, an Indian origin doctor has won USD 50,000 in damages and a written apology from a wing of the formidable US Homeland Security Department over his lawsuit alleging that armed Air Marshals detained him solely because of his dark skin.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a
wing of the Homeland Security Department, has agreed to change
its procedures and pay $50,000 as part of a settlement of a
lawsuit by Dr. Bob Rajcoomar, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in
the army reserves.
Rajcoomar, a naturalised American who was born in Guyana, filed a civil rights lawsuit against the government in April after he was detained by Air Marshals in a flight from Atlanta to Philadelphia on August 31 last year.
He was handcuffed and hauled to a police cell at Philadelphia airport for four hours and his luggage searched without his knowledge, while his wife was not informed about his whereabouts.
He was eventually released and no charges were filed. He said one of the agents explained by saying, ``We didn't like the way you looked.''
U.S. district judge John P. Fullam said he was satisfied that the TSA is complying with the terms of a settlement agreement that called for the agency to change its ``policies and training procedures regarding the allegations in the complaint.'' The agency also agreed to pay Rajcoomar $50,000 in damages and have TSA's administrator, retired coast guard adm. James Loy, issue a written apology to Rajcoomar and his wife.
Bureau Report
Rajcoomar, a naturalised American who was born in Guyana, filed a civil rights lawsuit against the government in April after he was detained by Air Marshals in a flight from Atlanta to Philadelphia on August 31 last year.
He was handcuffed and hauled to a police cell at Philadelphia airport for four hours and his luggage searched without his knowledge, while his wife was not informed about his whereabouts.
He was eventually released and no charges were filed. He said one of the agents explained by saying, ``We didn't like the way you looked.''
U.S. district judge John P. Fullam said he was satisfied that the TSA is complying with the terms of a settlement agreement that called for the agency to change its ``policies and training procedures regarding the allegations in the complaint.'' The agency also agreed to pay Rajcoomar $50,000 in damages and have TSA's administrator, retired coast guard adm. James Loy, issue a written apology to Rajcoomar and his wife.
Bureau Report