Documents from the Hindu American Foundation’s SLAPP Lawsuit
The Hindu American Foundation’s SLAPP lawsuit lasted approximately 19 months, May 2021–December 2022 (see Timeline). In total, it cost HAF’s donors more than $200,000, while the defendants all received pro-bono representation. The lawsuit did not survive Motions to Dismiss, which were granted on multiple grounds (this is the earliest point at which a civil lawsuit in the US can be dismissed). Below are all relevant publicly accessible documents and court filings, in chronological order.
Cease and Desist Letters from HAF (April 2021)
Naik and Al Jazeera (not included in the subsequent lawsuit)
HAF’s SLAPP Lawsuit against Five Defendants (May 2021)
original docket sheet with claim of 75 million in damages (soon thereafter corrected to 75K)
Defendants’ Motions to Dismiss (August–September 2021)
HAF’s Opposition to Motions to Dismiss (October 2021)
HAF also filed numerous exhibits, which are not included here.
Defendants’ Replies to HAF’s Opposition to Motions to Dismiss (November 2021)
Judge Mehta’s Order Staying Motions to Dismiss and Ordering Limited Discovery on HAF (March 2022)
Judge Mehta’s Scheduling Order (April 2022)
Defendants’ Joint Filing on HAF Discovery and Financial Burden (June 2022)
HAF’s Response (June 2022)
Declaration by Eric Rose (1 and 2)
Defendants’ Joint Reply to HAF’s Response (July 2022)
Judge Mehta’s Order and Opinion Dismissing the Case Against All Defendants (December 2022)
Press Release by Truschke’s Attorneys and Sample News Coverage (also see here) of the Dismissal (December 2022)
Postscript: Petition to Court to Unseal Documents (Feb–March 2023)
Request to unseal documents by Mr. Raqib Naik