Chowdhury v. Department of Housing Preservation and Development, NYC

Background

Mohammad Monirul Islam Chowdhury, representing himself, brought claims against New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Anna Vaysman, and Jesse Laufer. The opinion states that he sued under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the First Amendment, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law. He alleges that his employer discriminated against him based on religion and disability.

The court had previously granted Chowdhury permission to proceed without paying court fees in advance. In such cases, federal law requires the court to order the U.S. Marshals Service to serve the summons and complaint when service is needed.

Order

The court instructed the Clerk of Court to issue summonses for HPD, Vaysman, and Laufer; complete U.S. Marshals Service Process Receipt and Return forms with the defendants’ addresses; deliver the necessary documents to the Marshals Service; and mail Chowdhury an information package.

The court stated that service must be completed within 90 days after the summonses are issued. If service is not completed by then, Chowdhury should request an extension of time. The court also required him to notify the court in writing if his address changes and warned that the action may be dismissed if he fails to do so. The opinion does not resolve the merits of his discrimination or other claims.

Disposition

Judge Edgardo Ramos entered an order directing the Clerk and the U.S. Marshals Service to carry out service of the lawsuit. The opinion does not state that any claim was dismissed or that any defendant was found liable.