Gadkari regrets BJP cell's allegation against CJI

In a letter to the President, copies of which were sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the CJI, BJP chief Nitin Gadkari said the reported stand of its Human Rights cell was made in an "unauthorised" manner which the party "disowns."

"I am deeply distressed to know that a representation has been made to your Excellency with copy to the Vice-President and the Prime Minister making certain uncalled for and unwarranted allegation against the Chief Justice of India by the Convener of the Human Rights Cell of BJP.

"This is completely unauthorised and does not represent the view of the party. We disown it completely and convey our regrets for the agony it has caused to the CJI, whom we hold in high regard," the BJP chief has said.

The convenor, Sudhir Aggarwal, in a communication made to the Prime Minister, with copies to the President and the CJI, had said the CJI should have recused from hearing P A Sangma's petition as the judge was "close" to Mukherjee's counsel Pravin H Parekh and Harish Salve.

The CJI was part of the five-judge Constitution bench which had dismissed Sangma's election petition by a 3 to 2 majority verdict.