Anil Masih, who was the returning officer in the Chandigarh Mayor elections, on Friday tendered an unconditional apology for his conduct before the Supreme Court.
Masih came into limelight when he declared many votes invalid during the Chandigarh Mayor elections.
The Supreme Court had overturned the election results by reprimanding Masih, after which the Indian alliance comprising Congress and Aam Aadmi Party became the mayor. During the brief hearing today, an unconditional apology was tendered on behalf of Anil Masih. Now the hearing of this case will be on July 23.
You are on long leave, CJI Chandrachud asked
Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, appearing on behalf of Anil Masih in the Supreme Court, said that we have apologized unconditionally. I had a long conversation with him.
He will withdraw the first affidavit and surrender before the leniency of this court. This is an unconditional apology. On this, senior lawyer Singhvi said that we all are in the court. It is unconditional and all is well.
According to ‘Bar & Bench’, after apologizing in the case of Anil Masih, CJI DY Chandrachud said that okay, we will hear the case on July 9.
On this, senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi said that please do it after a week. CJI Chandrachud asked, “This means that Mr. Rohatgi, you are on long leave.” In response to this question, lawyer Rohatgi said that yes, I will stay in Wimbledon. Let us tell you that this year Wimbledon tournament is being organized from July 1 to July 14.
Anil Masih will withdraw the affidavit
During this hearing, Anil Masih said that he would withdraw his previous affidavit in which he had stated that he was suffering from depression and anxiety and in which he had denied the allegations of tampering with the ballot papers.
A purported video recording of the election process was leaked online on 31 January. Subsequently, the respondent (Masih) faced continuous criticism from members of political parties as well as social media.
This troubled the defendant. He had said in the affidavit that I along with my family members are under extreme mental trauma and stress.
‘Why shouldn’t action be initiated for giving false statements?’
The apex court had earlier issued a notice to Masih to explain why proceedings should not be initiated against him under Section 340 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for allegedly making a false statement before the court.
The Supreme Court bench had said in its judgment that Christ’s conduct as the presiding officer should be condemned at two levels.
The bench said, “Firstly, by his conduct he has unlawfully changed the outcome of the mayoral election…Secondly, while making a serious statement before this court on February 19, the Presiding Officer lied, for which he is held accountable should go.”