Sikh student sues NYC Deptt of Education

NEW YORK: One year after he suffered a violent biased-based attack, Jagmohan Singh Premi has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the city's Department of Education (DOE) failed in its duty to protect him from such attacks in school.

The suit alleges that Premi was subject to nearly daily abuse from a fellow student and that the school system did not respond effectively to protect him.  The law firm Howrey LLP filed the suit on his behalf.

On June 3, 2008 Premi, formerly a student at Richmond Hill High School in Queens, was punched in the face after a student intentionally attempted to remove his patka (small turban).  The perpetrator had a long, documented history of harassing Jagmohan in school, making fun of his patka and beard, and attempting to pull off his patka.

"The abuse I suffered in school was terrible," said Jagmohan Singh Premi. "I hope this never happens to anyone again."

Jagmohan reported this harassment to teachers, but teachers and administrators at Richmond Hill High School were unable to end the harassment.  Though the tormentor had been suspended earlier, he continued to harass Premi.  That harassment culminated in horrible violence one year ago today.

"The Department was aware both that  Premi was the subject of continued abuse, and that Sikh children in city schools are generally the subject of abuse," said Gurbir S. Grewal of Howrey LLP., counsel to Premi.  "The Department therefore was under an obligation to end it.  They failed and should now be held accountable."