Now York, May 11 - The Congress party, named in a case here for its alleged role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, has challenged the jurisdiction of a U.S. court to hear the matter filed against it by a Sikh advocacy group.

Attorneys representing the Congress party argued that under the Alien Tort Claims Act, a “corporation” cannot be sued for human rights violations by its members.

Lawyers for the victims argued there is difference between the status of a “corporation” and “political organisation”. Sikhs For Justice said since the Congress party is taking the defence that a political party cannot be sued under Alien Tort Claims Act, the victims will amend the complaint to include the names of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and national leadership of the party in their capacities as president and office bearers.