SC issues contempt notice to Rahul for Rafale remarks

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a contempt notice against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for attributing to the top court his remark PM Narendra Modi -Chowkidar is thief, primarily rejecting his response expressing regret for it.

Though Rahul's counsel senior advocate A M Singhvi submitted he has expressed his regret and the matter should be closed, the top court decided to go on examining the contempt plea filed by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi.

"In view of submissions, we deem it proper to issue notice," a three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said.

The top court said it will hear the matter along with review petitions filed against the December 14, 2018 judgement with regard to Rafale deal.

In his submission, Singhvi said, the top court had earlier asked Rahul to give his explanation and it was careful enough not to issue notice.

"We have forgotten to issue notice. We will do it," the bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, said.

Singhvi also said, for the last 18 months, there is a political slogan. "I express regret and it was a mistake on my part to say SC said Chowkidar Chor hai," he said.

"Certainly, the Supreme Court never said so. But to flog a political horse here should not be allowed. The matter should be closed now," he said.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Lekhi, submitted, "He admits he made a wrong statement. He says I did not read the order. He said it in euphoric manner."

"Without reading the order or judgement, he went to public to say the SC said PM Chowkidar is Chor. He calls himself as responsible leader of a political party. You are indulging in petty political game in the name of SC," Rohatgi said.

He assailed the response filed by Rahul, saying he has expressed regret only in brackets and tendered no apology.

"Contrition has to be expressed in words at the earliest opportunity," he said.

In his response, Rahul on Monday expressed his regret for having attributed his Rafale comments to the top court, saying those were made in rhetorical flourish in Hindi in heat of hectic political campaigning on the basis of general perception, without having seen, read or analysed the judgement.

Rahul also undertook that he will not attribute any views, observations or findings to the court in political addresses to the media and in public speeches, unless such views, observations or findings are recorded by the court.

Lekhi claimed Gandhi had incorrectly attributed to the top court that it had said "Chowkidar Narendra Modi Chor hai. (Prime Minister Narendra Modi is thief) in its Rafale judgement of April 10."

The apex court had on April 10 stated that it would consider the leaked secret documents related to purchase of Rafale fighter jets from France.