The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, lawyer of Indian National Congress president Rahul Gandhi, to file a fresh affidavit clarifying his stand on the alleged comments by his client, while attributing ‘chowkidar chor hai’ inference in the ruling on the multi-million Euro deal to purchase Rafael fighter jets from France.
Mr Gandhi told the three -judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, that he expressed complete regret for linking the Supreme Court order on Rafale review petition to ‘chowkidar chor hai’ jibe.
The apex court questioned Mr Gandhi’s counsel, “You take 22 pages of affidavit to express regret?”.
Mr Gandhi’s counsel said his client had apologised for attributing to Supreme Court what he said in a political speech against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mukul Rohatgi, lawyer for Bharatiya Janata Party MP, Meenakshi Lekhi, contended that Mr Gandhi had committed contempt by his incorrect inference and his affidavit should be rejected.
The apex court would now hear the matter on May 6, Monday.
Contempt plea: SC asks Raga to file fresh affidavit
