The Supreme Court on Monday (15 April) issued a notice to Congress President Rahul Gandhi seeking explanation from him on a criminal contempt petition filed by Bharatiya Janata Party MP Meenakshi Lekhi.
Supreme Court issues notice to Congress President Rahul Gandhi in connection with a contempt petition filed against him. Supreme Court has sought an explanation from him. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/QZBtnbdLEL
— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2019
In the petition, Lekhi had sought contempt action against Congress chief for allegedly attributing to the top court his own remarks on the Rafale verdict and trying to create prejudice.
The petitioner, BJP's Meenakshi Lekhi, has claimed in her petition 'the words used and attributed by him to SC in the Rafale case has been made to appear something else. He is replacing his personal statement as Supreme Court's order and trying to create prejudice'. https://t.co/51eoZaeWio
— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2019
Appearing for Meenakshi Lekhi, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi told the Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi-led bench that Congress president made a remark that the "Supreme Court has said, chowkidaar chor hai" in the verdict in Rafale review delivered on 10 April, Live Law has reported.
The bench, while considering the petition today (15 April), observed that it had “no occasion” to make any comments as attributed by Gandhi and that the judgement was solely on the legal question of admissibility of documents produced by review petitioners.
The apex court has asked the Congress chief to file his reply by 22 April, which has been fixed as the next date for hearing in the matter.
Rahul Gandhi has to file a reply in Supreme Court before Monday. The Court fixed the matter for further hearing on Monday, April 22. https://t.co/qwEDJxMj86
— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2019
According to a Firstpost report, after filing his nomination for Amethi Lok Sabha seat on 10 April, Rahul Gandhi had claimed that the apex court has "made it clear" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "committed a theft".
"Now the Supreme Court has made it clear that 'chowkidarji' has committed a theft," he had said, adding that the bench has "accepted that there is some corruption in Rafale".
