Muslims, Sikh sue US Airline for humiliation, discrimination

NEW YORK (Web Desk) - Three New York Muslims and a Sikh who were kicked off a flight home from Canada because of their appearance have filed an $11 million federal lawsuit demanding a jury trial.

The student and three professionals of Bengali, Syrian and Punjabi descent, all in their 20s, say they were ordered to disembark American Airlines flight 44718 from Toronto to New York on December 8 simply because of their looks.

The 18-page lawsuit accuses the defendants of “malicious,” “wanton” and “callous” behaviour that “showed reckless disregard” for the men’s civil rights when the four friends were returning from birthday celebrations in Canada.

Faimul Alam, 25, manages his father’s construction business, Shan Anand, 25, works as a personal banker and creates software applications and W H, 23, is a pharmacy student who owns his own clothing line. The fourth petitioner, who was identified as M K, 29, also manages his father’s construction company.