Anna Hazare apologises for his remarks against judicary

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, who will start his fast from August 16 demanding an effective Jana Lokpal, today offered unconditional apology before the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court for his alleged contemptuous remarks against the judiciary in 2003.

Hazare had said the court and judiciary can be managed by rich people like former minister Sureshdada Jain, who can purchase justice, soon after he was convicted by the Additional Metropolitan Magistrate in Mumbai in a defamatory suit.

Former minister Babanrao Gholap’s associate and former legislator Sharad Wani had filed a defamatory case against Hazare for contempt of court after Hazare expressed his views during an interview in a section of the press.

Hazare had filed an affidavit reiterating his charges against the judiciary in general. The high court began hearing the case last month when Hazare's lawyer tendered an apology. However, the court asked asked the socail activist to file a fresh affidavit. Despite repeated attempts, Hazare could not be contacted.

“I tender my unconditional, sincere and honest apology to this said honourable court and the said apology may kindly be accepted. I say that, I regret my conduct and the statements being made by me about which the contempt proceedings are instituted and I have also sought permission to withdraw my earlier affidavit,” Hazare told the court.

“I say that I have the highest regard for the orders passed by this Hon Court as well as judiciary. I say that, therefore, my unconditional, honest and sincere apology may kindly be accepted and contempt proceedings be dropped against me.”

However, Wani today filed a rejoinder against Hazare's affidavit and appealed to the court that the contempt proceedings may not be dropped and his plea for withdrawal of his affidavit reiterating charges against the judiciary be rejected.

Wani told Business Standard: “In my affidavit I have prayed that Hazare's apology may not be accepted and action be taken against him under the Criminal Contempt of Court law. The court has convened the next hearing on August 29.”