After Today’s Court Hearing, UNITED SIKHS Again Reaffirms Its Commitment to Legal Due Process in the Harjinder Singh Case
St. Lucie County, Florida | November 13, 2025
Following today’s pre-trial hearing in the case of Harjinder Singh, in St. Lucie, Florida, UNITED SIKHS reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the constitutional rights of all Sikhs are upheld and that all are afforded due legal process.
Harjinder, a 28-year-old Sikh truck driver, faces multiple charges stemming from a roadway accident on August 12, 2025. His lead Defense Counsel and Florida attorney, Natalie Knight-Tai, Co-Counsel Tejinder Singh Bains, a New York preeminent Sikh criminal defense attorney with 30 years of criminal case defense experience, is joined by UNITED SIKHS’ Chief Legal Officer, Wanda Sanchez Day as his legal team.
At today’s court hearing, Harjinder’s lead attorney, Ms. Knight-Tai, emphasized the importance of his presence in court and the need for transparency in the proceedings. However, Mr. Singh was not produced in court and instead appeared virtually via video conference. “We did not waive his appearance and asked that he attend in person. We wanted him to be present because this is his life, and he deserves to see first hand that his legal team is fighting for him,” said Ms. Knight-Tai.
Prior to the hearing today, Ms. Knight-Tai and UNITED SIKHS also reached out to the St. Lucie Court Interpreter Services and the interpretation services provided at today’s hearing was appropriate. “We appreciate that the St. Lucie Court Interpreter Services was responsive to this accommodation because legal interpretation in one’s main language is important to due process,” stated Ms. Knight -Tai.
After advocacy by Harjinder’s defense attorneys in the days leading up to today’s hearing, the St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that Mr. Singh would be allowed to appear in court wearing his dastar (a Sikh religious head covering) and civilian clothing.
While Harjinder was not physically produced in court today as originally requested by his Counsels, he did appear virtually. Today’s hearing primarily served as a procedural overview of the case’s next steps. Counsel confirmed that discovery remains ongoing and that further investigation is required.
“We are diligently fighting for our client’s rights,” Ms. Knight-Tai further stated. “We ask everyone to remember the foundation of our justice system; the presumption of innocence. Harjinder should not be judged before the State has presented all evidence, the accused has a fair opportunity to respond at a trial through counsel and a jury of his peers is empaneled.”
UNITED SIKHS continues to advocate for Harjinder’s full participation in his defense and for humane conditions while in custody. “Imagine being incarcerated, accused, and isolated from the outside world and being forced to relinquish the articles that represent your faith when you live in America, where you’re guaranteed the presumption of innocence before a trial,” Knight-Tai added. “It is essential that Harjinder understands what is happening and sees that his team is working for him.”
The legal team also addressed the broader civil rights implications of this case, noting that in today’s environment immigrant workers, particularly those in the transportation industry, are facing discriminatory treatment.
“Fairness is the American way,” said Ms. Sanchez Day. “It must be afforded to all people, regardless of ethnic background, national origin, religious beliefs or creed.” “We are committed to a thorough and just legal process,” she concluded.
UNITED SIKHS Director of Operations, Bhupinder Kaur, emphasized the importance of protecting community dignity amid rising bias: “We are working closely with the attorneys on this case to ensure justice is properly administered in the Harjinder Singh case, and all such cases where political interests threaten fair legal process. At the same time, we are deeply concerned about the rise in discrimination and bias against Sikh and immigrant drivers as a result of this and other recent incidents involving truck drivers. “One case should never be used to stigmatize an entire community,” stated Ms. Kaur.
“Sikh and all truck drivers play a vital role in the American transportation industry and in strengthening our economy and they are entitled to fairness, safety, and respect. Our focus is on justice, due process, and protecting the civil rights of our communities,” Ms. Sanchez Day emphasized.
UNITED SIKHS remains in close communication with Harjinder’s family and continues to coordinate with allied civil rights organizations to monitor this and all cases that present civil rights challenges in order to uphold the principles of justice, dignity, and equal protection under the law.
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About UNITED SIKHS
UNITED SIKHS is an international, non-profit humanitarian organization affiliated with the U.N., committed to empowering disadvantaged and minority communities across the globe. Its mission is to provide support and resources to those in need, advocating for equality, justice, and human rights. Through various humanitarian projects and advocacy efforts, UNITED SIKHS works to uplift vulnerable communities, aiming to make a lasting positive impact on the world.
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Gurleen Kaur
Director of Media and Public Relations
📧 gurleen.kaur@unitedsikhs.org | media@unitedsikhs.org
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