When 50-year-old Indian-American Surjeet Bassi went to Mercedes Benz showroom in New Jersey, the manager of the showroom allegedly refused to sell him a Mercedes Benz saying he came from a ‘high-risk area’ and might ship the car to the Taliban.
Following this episode, Bassi has sued the dealership for US 1.26 million, NDTV reported.
Surjeet Bassi, who has lived in America for 30 years, said the manager at Prestige Motors Inc. in New Jersey told him that he came from a "high-risk area" where people buy cars and export them to the Taliban.
Mr Bassi told the manager he is Indian and not connected to the Islamic fundamentalist and terrorist organisation.
Mr. Bassi then claims in his federal lawsuit that he spent several hours choosing a new model, even paid a down payment of USD 1000 and had made a call to the insurance company to modify his car policy when the manager called him into his office and allegedly said, “I’m sorry, I cant sell you the car.”
Inspite of clarifying that he was originally from India and was never involved in exporting cars, the manager refuse to extend $83,000 in credit.
Mr. Bassi then decided to sue the dealership and in the lawsuit claims the refusal is a violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
He further claims "racial stereotyping, premised on plaintiff's race and appearance" and alleges the "same behavior would never have been engaged in had plaintiff been a white citizen of the United States."
In response to the lawsuit, the company's spokeswoman Theresa V said, "Prestige Mercedes Benz values its relationships with customers and prospective customers."
"Out of respect for the process and all parties, it is our policy not to comment on pending legal matters."
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