NJ Car Dealership Refused To Sell To Man Over Taliban Concern, Lawsuit Claims
PARAMUS, N.J. (AP) — An Indian national is suing a New Jersey car dealership for more than $1 million, alleging it refused to sell him a luxury vehicle over concerns he might ship it to the Taliban.
Surjeet Bassi of Wallkill, New York claims in the federal suit that he and his business partner went into Prestige-Motors in Paramus in June to trade in his Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle for a newer model.
Bassi says he and the salesman had reached a deal, but the manager told 50-year-old Bassi he couldn't sell him the car. The suit says the manager told Bassi he came from a "high-risk area" where people buy cars and export them to the Taliban.
Bassi says he has nothing to do with the Taliban, which controls parts of Afghanistan.
A request for comment from the dealership's lawyer wasn't immediately returned.
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