New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a contempt notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his “chowkidar chor hai” remark. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi, told the court Rahul Gandhi admitted to making a wrong statement. He admitted he made the statement without having seen or read the order.
He also said Rahul Gandhi had not apologised but only expressed “regret” in his reply to the SC. Mr Rohatgi said Mr Gandhi’s apology was mere lip service. “Is this the way to quote the Supreme Court? Just because you are the head of a party?” Mr Rohatgi asked. The court has, however, exempted Mr Gandhi from personal appearance in the case, filed by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi, which will come up for hearing on April 30.
It will be heard along with the pending review petitions against the December 14, 2018 verdict in the Rafale fighter jet deal. The court rejected Mr Gandhi’s plea to close the criminal contempt petition filed by Ms Lekhi.
Mr Gandhi had expressed regret for attributing the “chowkidar chor hai” remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Supreme Court on Monday. The Chief Justice of India said he was yet to read Rahul Gandhi’s reply to the court.
