1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: US Court Summons Amitabh Bachchan

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has been summoned by a US federal court in Los Angeles for his alleged involvement in a human rights violations case.

The complaint has been filed by a New York-based body, Sikh for Justice (SFJ), who state that the "Shamitabh" actor had provoked violence against the Sikh community by raising "blood for blood" slogans in 1984.

The "Piku" actor's manager in Hollywood, David A Unger, received a copy of the federal court summons and complaint by the Sikh body on 23 February. Unger is a well-known talent agent and co-owner of "Three Six Zero Group".

Although the megastar has denied the allegations levelled against him, the United States' federal laws require the 72-years-old actor to respond to the charges of human rights violations within 21 days from the date of notice of the summons.

"If defendant failed to respond by March 17, we will move the court for entry of default judgment imposing compensatory and punitive damages against Bachchan for instigating violence which took lives of thousands of innocent Sikhs during November, 1984," Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ, told PTI.

Earlier, the Sikh body had filed similar lawsuits against several prominent Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former PM Manmohan Singh.

Now, it remains to be seen if Big B responds to the charges against him.