Court dismisses petition against Barack Obama

ALLAHABAD: A local court here has dismissed a petition accusing US President Barack Obama of "tarnishing India's secular image" with his statements.

Judicial Magistrate Neelima Singh yesterday dismissed the petition filed by advocate Sushil Kumar Mishra, who had sought Obama's prosecution under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (punishment for defamation).

Earlier, on Monday, the Judicial Magistrate had posted the matter for hearing on February 18.

However, while perusing the petition yesterday, she took the view that the case was "not maintainable" as the US President enjoyed "diplomatic immunity"

Mishra alleged that Obama through his reported statement that religious intolerance was on the rise in the country had "tarnished the image of India which is a secular country".