In a big blow to the Congress Party, the Supreme Court has demanded an explanation from party president Rahul Gandhi for allegedly incorrectly attributing an observation about the Rafale deal to the apex court.
Gandhi was addressing a rally at Amethi after filing his nomination and had said, “I want to thank the Supreme Court. The entire country is saying that Chowkidar chor hai (Chowkidar has committed theft). It is a day of celebration that the Supreme Court has talked about justice.”
Shortly afterward, the BJP filed a contempt of court petition against Rahul Gandhi alleging he had misquoted the top court. Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said, “Rahul Gandhi has completely showed his frustration by saying what the court had not said.” She added, “The Congress president probably doesn’t read even half a paragraph of the court’s order, but here, saying the court has said ‘chowkidaar chor hai’ it is verging on contempt of court… He may be brazen enough to claim what he claims without any proof, but today what he said was gross contempt of court.”
On Monday, the court said, “We make it clear views attributed to this court by Rahul Gandhi in media or public on Rafale verdict have been incorrectly attributed.” The court added, “Having clarified the matter we deem it appropriate to seek an explanation of Gandhi.”
Gandhi will now have to file his response before the next hearing on April 22.