US airline says sorry to Sikh

Producer for Rangeela TV, an Indian channel, Dhillon, said: ‘‘that’s all I wanted from day one’’. He has now dropped the case against the airline. Dhillon was on his way to Las Vegas and had undergone all security checks but was asked to step aside by the boarding agent, as the pilot had seen him making an ‘‘obscene gesture’’, said the daily Alameda Times-Star. He was taken to the ticket counter where he was questioned and searched for more than two hours before the authorities agreed to put him on another flight.

Dhillon, a US citizen since 1980, filed a lawsuit with the San Francisco federal court in March last year. ‘‘In the aftermath of the extraordinary events of 9/11 NA’s only interest at that time was the safety and security of the flying public, including you,’’ wrote Raymond T. Nakano, senior vice president.

The daily quoted civil rights groups as saying Dhillon’s victory may be a first to have been settled. Said Kavneet Singh, spokesperson for the Sikh Media Watch and Resource Task Force: ‘‘This is the first suit I’ve heard.’’