Jaipur, Oct 4: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot tendered an unconditional apology to the high court on Tuesday in a PIL seeking criminal proceedings against him over his remarks against the judiciary, citing his law degree and claiming "distortion" of his comments by a publication.

 

The apology came after a month-long controversy that was started by his accusations on the legal system.

 

 

 

Gehlot has asserted in a written submission that he has never come across any kind of corruption in the judiciary. But he pointed out that in the past few years, many judges from the Supreme Court and the high courts have expressed concern over alleged corruption. "I was only expressing similar concerns but my statements were distorted and misconstrued in the news report," the CM said in his reply.

 

The CM has requested the court to accept his apology and dismiss the PIL. The HC will hear the matter next on November 7. Shiv Charan Gupta, an advocate, had filed the PIL on August 31, arguing that Gehlot's remarks amounted to "wilful scandalising and lowering the image of the judiciary". It was heard on September 2 by an HC division bench, which had sought Gehlot's response.

 

 

Lawyer Prateek Kasliwal who appeared for the Congress leader read from his reply. "He (CM) has utmost regard for the majesty of law and the judiciary. If the high court feels that by the statement he has in any manner attempted to lower the respect or dignity of the judiciary in the minds of the public, he tenders his unconditional apology," he said.

 

"As an alumnus of Jodhpur University with a law degree in 1976, he has closely engaged with the legal profession earlier," Kasliwal added. Elaborating further, the counsel said the CM's reply notes that "he (Gehlot) has been reading about corruption in the judiciary by many former judges of the Supreme Court".

 

"The statement by him (Gehlot) reflects concern shown by those who held higher positions in the judiciary. Also, in his tweet on August 31, he had clarified his stand and said he had high regard for the judiciary," Kasliwal added.

 

Kasliwal reiterated Gehlot's claims that the newspaper "distorted and misconstrued" the comments. "I have always believed that people have faith in the judiciary as whenever any untoward incident takes place, people demand a judicial enquiry. We have prayed that the reply be accepted and the PIL be dismissed," Kasliwal said.

 

 

Gehlot had said on August 30 that some judges were handing down decisions that had been written by solicitors. "Corruption is rampant in the judiciary today. I have heard that some lawyers themselves take the judgement in writing and the same judgement is pronounced,” he highlighted while talking to the media.

His condemnation triggered a fierce protest from lawyers of the high court and Jodhpur lower courts participated in a day-long walkout in protest of the statement. Furthermore, a public interest lawsuit was initiated against him to pursue contempt charges.

He had to elucidate his criticism in response to the PIL which was scheduled for a hearing on 5 September. He backtracked and clarified that his comments about judicial corruption “were not his personal opinion”. He then stressed that he has always respected and trusted the judiciary.