The Supreme Court has reserved its order on the contempt proceedings against Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari. Tiwari is alleged to have broken the seal of illegal premises that was sealed by the civic agency at Delhi.
Senior advocate Vikas Singh argued on behalf of Tiwari that the monitoring committee was carrying out sealing drives in unauthorised colonies and wanted “to terrorise the people of Delhi”. “The particular colony was never entrusted with the monitoring committee. It was beyond the jurisdiction of the committee. The monitoring committee is terrorising people of Delhi“, submitted Singh.
He further alleged that the monitoring committee and corrupt officials are running a “corruption racket in the capital”. He also added that the monitoring committee is not doing its work in a responsible manner.
The bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur, S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta was further told that the act did not amount to contempt and that as a politician, he is answerable to the people. “Judges sit in this cozy area where nobody comes to question them. People question me, I am responsible,” Singh said arguing on behalf of Tiwari.
Singh also claimed that “there are numerous illegal constructions across Delhi but no action is taken against them” while adding that in a particular locality “seals were broken and the EDMC officials were beaten up but no case was registered against them.”
It was also argued that if Tiwari hadn’t broken the seal, the mob which had gathered may have resorted to violence. He has been asked to appear before the court again when it will pass the order.