A former JPMorgan banker alleging he was a "sex slave" has secured a significant procedural victory, as a judge has permitted his case to be transferred from state to federal court. The decision offers Chirayu Rana a chance to re-file his lawsuit after months of unfavorable rulings in the state proceeding.
Manhattan Judge Dakota Ramseur stated that there was no evidence of Rana acting in bad faith, engaging in forum shopping, or attempting to evade an adverse ruling. This ruling allows Rana's claims, originally filed anonymously in April, to be reviewed in a federal forum.
Rana's lawsuit accuses his former supervisor, Lorna Hajdini, of sexual abuse. Allegations within the suit include claims that Hajdini exposed herself and made derogatory remarks. Both Hajdini and JPMorgan have vehemently denied all allegations.
Despite the win in moving the case, Rana faces two new challenges. Judge Ramseur ruled that Hajdini's related defamation claims against Rana will proceed as a separate lawsuit, independent of Rana's case. Additionally, Rana's legal team must provide Hajdini's camp with the names of previously anonymous witnesses and unredacted versions of their statements before the discovery phase.
Lawyers for JPMorgan and Hajdini had argued against allowing the case to move to federal court unless certain conditions were met. These conditions included Rana paying their legal fees incurred to date, admitting to making false claims, and revealing his anonymous witnesses. Hajdini's legal team also sought to separate her counterclaim against Rana.
The judge granted partial success to the defense, ordering Rana to pay fees associated with his attempt to move the case from state to federal court. The total amount of these fees was not specified.
Rana's legal team had argued that the defense's demands were baseless and intended to intimidate victims. "Defendants are seeking conditions to be imposed to punish complainant for bringing claims," stated Rana's lawyer, Monika Hinken, characterizing the requests as an effort to "intimidate [Rana] and every other sexual assault victim who is contemplating going forward."
This development follows an earlier ruling where Rana's initial lawyer was allowed to withdraw, with the condition that the lawyer disclose any false statements made by Rana in the original suit. No such disclosures have been made public.
Rana initially filed his suit anonymously, but his identity as Chirayu Rana was later revealed. He was subsequently ordered by a judge to amend his lawsuit to include his real name.
Rana's legal team sought the move to federal court in June, citing federal violations such as race discrimination, retaliation, and interference with medical and family leave, claims they argued were not fully addressed in the state filing. However, legal experts suggested this move could be perceived as forum shopping, as such claims could also be pursued in state court.