On the 23rd of April, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi, the President of the Indian National Congress (INC.) The notice was sent because Mr. Gandhi used the term “Chowkidar Chor Hai,” in connection with the SC’s ruling on the Rafale verdict.
Led by the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, the bench said, the petition against Rahul Gandhi would be heard on the 30th of April. Apart from this petition, the SC will also review the petition filed on the 14th of December last year in connection with the Rafale deal case.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the contempt petitioner, said Rahul Gandhi had not offered an apology for the remark. However, senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, representing Rahul Gandhi, said, Gandhi deeply regrets the comments he made and had also filed a 26 page apology to the SC stating the same.
“He admits the order of the Court is on a preliminary issue. He says he didn’t read it. He says he said it in a euphoric way. He says he only regrets. No apology,” said Rohatgi while defending his client. Singhvi added, PM Narendra Modi misquoted what his client said, thereby making the statement sound far worse than intended.
“On hearing senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi on behalf of Gandhi in the contempt petition we deem it fit to issue notice to the respondent (Rahul) Gandhi,” a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said while issuing the notice.
On the 15th of April, the SC asked Rahul Gandhi to give an explanation for the remark he made, based on a petition filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Meenakshi Lekhi. Ms. Lekhi filed a criminal contempt petition against the President of the INC and said Rahul Gandhi was attributing wrong sentiments.
Gandhi stated several statements made by the INC were being misquoted and misrepresented. He further said, the SC was abusing its powers and was politically motivated by issuing him with a notice.
The SC rejected Gandhi’s plea to close the petition filed by Ms. Lekhi and will hear the case on the 30th of April.
Stay tuned for more updates.
