Federal Court Allows Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Against City of San Gabriel Brought By Quality Dialysis Center and Dr. Sakhrani to Proceed

LOS ANGELES, May 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the federal district court issued its order in large part denying the City of San Gabriel's motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought by Dr. Sakhrani challenging the City's denial of conditional use permits to allow him to build a dialysis center. 

Dr. Sakhrani had worked closely with City staff for almost 18 months to ensure that the building complied with the City codes.  The City's Planning Commission approved permits for the project, but the project was blocked on appeal by the City Council.

The court allowed Dr. Sakhrani to proceed with his lawsuit which alleges that the City violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Unruh Civil Rights Act in discriminating against patients with disabilities.  The lawsuit also alleges that the City Council members were biased and had conflicts of interest, and failed to provide Dr. Sakhrani with a fair hearing.  In its ruling, the court also held that the City Council members who were individually named as defendants are not immune from liability for their actions.  The lawsuit also requests that the City pay Dr. Sakhrani's attorneys' fees.

"I am pleased that the court is permitting this suit to move forward," said Dr. Sakhrani. "More importantly, I look forward to the day when I will be able to treat patients at the new dialysis center."

"A federal judge has now recognized that the complaint alleges serious violations of federal disability discrimination laws by the City of San Gabriel," said Nilay Vora, lead counsel to Dr. Sakhrani.  "We look forward to our next opportunity to present additional evidence to the court."

"We are very pleased with the court's ruling," added Daron Tooch, co-counsel in the case.  "We are confident that we will prevail in this case and that Dr. Sakhrani will be able to build his much needed dialysis center."

For more information, the media may contact Nilay U. Vora, counsel for Dr. Sakhrani, at 213-612-8916 or [email protected]; or Daron Tooch, at 310-551-8192 or [email protected].

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SOURCE LTL Attorneys LLP