(New York, New York) July 22, 2009 - In a Queens Family Court criminal trial, Judge Fran Lubow yesterday ruled against Student Doe, a Richmond Hill High School student whose name is being withheld because (s)he is a minor, for violently attacking Jagmohan Singh Premi, a fellow student at the high school, in June 2008.

What Happened

On June 3, 2008, Student Doe attempted to remove Jagmohan's patka (small turban) and pull at his beard, both of which are articles of Jagmohan's Sikh faith.  Student Doe then punched Jagmohan repeatedly, including in the face, while holding a key with the pointed end protruding from his fist.  As a result of the attack, Jagmohan, among other things, suffered a large laceration under his left eye.

Student Doe had a long history of tormenting and harassing Jagmohan, which was known to Jagmohan's teachers and to Richmond Hill High School.  In fact, on several occasions, Jagmohan's father brought the harassment to the attention of teachers at the school and sought their assistance in protecting his son.  The high school did nothing.

Following the June 2008 incident, juvenile proceedings were instituted against the City of New York in Queens Family Court before Judge Lubow.  After a trial, which included testimony from Jagmohan, Judge Lubow issued her findings yesterday. 

Judge Lubow specifically found against Jagmohan's attacker on three of the four counts in the petition: 1) Assault in the Second Degree, Charged as a Hate Crime; 2) Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree; and 3) Criminal Possession of Weapon in the Fourth Degree.  The sentencing hearing in this matter is scheduled for September 9 before Judge Lubow in Queens Family Court.  Student Doe faces a maximum of 18 months in juvenile detention.

The Work of Howrey LLP

Horey LLP, which currently represents Jagmohan pro bono in a groundbreaking civil suit against the New York City Department of Education and others for failing to protect Jagmohan from bias-based harassment in school, played a critical role providing legal assistance to Jagmohan and his family throughout the Family Court proceedings against Student Doe.

As part of its work on the civil suit, attorneys from Howrey, including lead counsel Gurbir Singh Grewal, attended over half a dozen trial dates during the Family Court proceedings against Student Doe.  Howrey also acted as a liaison between the prosecutor and Jagmohan and his family.

The Coalition heartily thanks Howrey LLP for its work to support Jagmohan and ensure his and the Sikh community's civil rights are protected.

As always, the Sikh Coalition urges all Sikhs to practice their faith fearlessly.  If someone tells you to remove your articles of faith, please report the incident at legal@sikhcoalition.org.