Rahul Gandhi will apologise to apex court in contempt case

Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, his lawyer, submitted that Mr Gandhi will file an affidavit rendering an apology by Monday.

"Rahul will file an affidavit very soon rendering his apology in the case," Dr Singhvi affirmed to the three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.

"After an extensive hearing Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, learned senior counsel for the respondent, seeks liberty to file an additional affidavit.

"While we observe that it will be open for the respondent to file the additional affidavit if he so desires, we make it clear that the admissibility and acceptance of any affidavit, if filed, will be considered on the next date i.e. 10.05.2019," the bench said in its order.

Mr Gandhi submitted that he expressed complete regret for linking the apex court order on Rafale review petition to 'chowkidar chor hai' jibe.

The bench questioned Mr Gandhi's counsel, "You take 22 pages of affidavit to express regret?".

Mr Gandhi's counsel said his client had apologised for attributing to the Supreme Court what he said in a political speech against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mukul Rohatgi, lawyer for Bharatiya Janata Party MP, Meenakshi Lekhi, contended that Mr Gandhi had committed contempt by his incorrect inference and his affidavit should be rejected.

The next hearing is on May 6.