Sohrabuddin's brother sends notice to Modi for 'supari' remark
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that Congress gave 'supari' (contract) to CBI to politically finish him has landed him in a spot with a legal notice being slapped on him by Sohrabuddin Sheikh's brother for alleged contempt of court.
Rubabuddin Sheikh, whose petition in the Supreme Court led to the CBI probe into the staged killing of his brother, an alleged gangster, has sent a legal notice to Modi. The BJP leader's remarks at a public function amounted to "grave insult" to the apex court that had directed the CBI to probe the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case, in which a former minister and several policemen have been arrested, he said in the notice sent today through his lawyer Mukul Sinha.
Modi's statements were deliberate, and aimed at undermining the majesty of the apex court and dent people's faith in wisdom of the apex court. They also undermine the credibility of CBI investigation and amount to undue interference in the administration of justice, Rubabuddin alleged.
"The utterances made by you (Modi) on August 25 in a public function amounts to criminal contempt under the Section 2 (c) of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971."
Speaking at the inauguration of a sports complex here, Modi had said, "Congress cannot digest the progress made by Gujarat and that is the reason they have given 'supari' to CBI to finish Modi and stop the state's progress."
Rubabuddin further said in the notice that as an executive head of Gujarat, Modi had a constitutional duty to uphold rule of law and majesty of apex court. "By using the said word (supari), you have attempted to convey to the people that the CBI has been offered certain monetary consideration for causing harm to you politically."
Modi has been given one week's time to reply to the legal notice. Rubabuddin has also alleged that deliberate and conscious efforts had been made by the state BJP leadership to create doubts and disbeliefs in the minds of people regarding the integrity of CBI.
Legal notices have also been issued to Gujarat BJP president R C Faldu, vice-president Purushottam Rupala, spokesperson I K Jadeja and general secretary Vijay Rupani for making "derogatory" remarks against CBI and calling it 'Congress bureau of investigation', he said. Soharabuddin was killed in a fake encounter by a team of Gujarat and Rajasthan Police in November 2005.
