Former Gujarat law minister appears before HC in contempt case

Dilip Sanghani, a former law minister of the state, today appeared before the Gujarat High Court in connection with a contempt of court petition.
At an earlier hearing, division bench of Justices M R Shah and R P Dholeria had asked him to be present.
"Some words or language must be used with limitation... especially when you are speaking in public, you must keep that in mind," the HC said today, adding that dignity of the judiciary must be maintained.
Sanghani told the court that the context and the circumstances surrounding his controversial statement must be seen.
He also said that he never made public the information such as cooperative societies of the judges, and details of their use of official cars.

"I had to speak in some circumstances and now I will give my written statement to this court," Sanghani said. He also said that he was ready for daily hearing.

After Sanghani made his submission, HC adjourned the hearing to April 24.
In July 2012, Rajendra Mistry moved the court seeking action for contempt of court against Sanghani, who was then the state agriculture and law minister, over his speech at a government function in Jamnagar district on June 2, 2012.
Mistry alleged that Sanghani had said that courts had no authority to decide on transfers and appointments of government employees, and the Centre should rein in the courts if they go "beyond the law and the constitution".