ECBAWM, together with CAIR-NY, has obtained a settlement for its client Kamrul Chowdhury for his claims against New York City and the New York City Police Department that includes significant policy changes to accommodate religious rights.

The lawsuit, filed in in the Eastern District of New York in 2023, alleges that the NYPD violated the rights of Mr. Chowdhury, 51, by denying him his right to pray and failing to accommodate his religiously requested food for 24 hours while he was in custody in 2022.

Following over a year of litigation, the NYPD has now agreed to pay Mr. Chowdhury $140,000 and to add new language to its policies that clarify the importance of accommodating religious dietary restrictions. The City has agreed to have these changes implemented within six months of the settlement agreement.

Mr. Chowdhury is represented by ECBAWM attorneys Andrew Wilson and Sana Mayat and counsel from CAIR-NY.