Gujarat HC rejects contempt pleas against Modi

Observes writing letter by CM not intended to interfere in the due course of justice

PTI | January 17, 2012



Gujarat High Court today rejected petitions seeking contempt of court proceedings against Chief Minister Narendra Modi for making public his letter to the Prime Minister, seeking recall of Governor on the issue of appointment of Lokayukta.

Bhikabhai Jethwa had filed a petition against Modi for writing a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the appointment of the Lokayukta in September and getting it published in media when the matter was sub-judice as the government had challenged the appointment in High Court.

The division bench of Justice Akil Kureshi and Justice Sonia Gokani, however, observed that writing of the letter by the chief minister was not intended to interfere in the due course of justice.

"Hence, we do not find any reason to entertain the petition seeking contempt of court proceedings against the chief minister or issue any notice in this regard," the court said.

Another petition on the same issue was filed by an NGO Jan Sangarsh Manch through its lawyer Rajesh Mankad.

On August 2011, Gujarat Governor Kamla had appointed retired Justice R A Mehta as the Lokayukta of the state, bypassing the elected state government. The post was vacant for the past seven years.

A few days later, Modi wrote the letter, in which, he said the Governor has "wrongly appropriated" the function of the duly elected state government which is a "major subversion" of the Constitution.

The court said most of the contentions of the letter (written by Modi) form a part of the state's averments in the petition challenging the Lokayikta's appointment by the Governor.

The court also said that the petitioners have not been affirmatively able to assert that the chief minister leaked the letter to the media or it was circulated under his instructions or directions.

Comments

 

Other News

Who checks the books?

I read about the news about the Coimbatore library over coffee this morning. On the face of it, the headline was about a political ‘war’ between the DMK and TVK. But what stayed with me was something much more important than the blame game behind what had transpired. A writer walking through

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.  

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter