SC order on Loya PILs: Delhi BJP demands apology from Rahul, Kejriwal

The BJP's Delhi unit today welcomed the Supreme Court order rejecting pleas to probe judge B H Loya's death and demanded a public apology from Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for "tarnishing" BJP chief Amit Shah's image.

BJP Delhi chief Manoj Tewari said several leaders, including Gandhi and Kejriwal, were at the forefront of attacking the BJP and "dragging" the name of its national president in the case.

"Rahul Gandhi, if he believes in judiciary, should now tender a public apology. Arvind Kejriwal should also apologise," he said in a press conference.

After the court's observation that judge Loya died a natural death, it is clear that the political parties including Congress and AAP were running a "politically motivated" campaign to "tarnish" the image of party president Amit Shah, he alleged.

Supreme Court's judgement has come as victory of truth and vindication of the BJP's stand, Tewari said.

In light of the apex court order, a public debate should start in the country over the freedom to file PILs and level unfounded allegations, he said.

"As it appears in the present case, the public interest litigations (PILs) were used as a political interest litigation," Tiwari said.

The Supreme Court today ruled that special CBI judge Judge Loya died of natural causes and that the petitions were serious attempts to scandalise and obstruct the course of justice.

It dubbed the PILs into the death of judge Loya, who was hearing the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, frivolous and motivated litigations to settle political scores. Shah was an accused in the case but was later discharged.