Supreme Court rejects Indian Medical Association President's apology, asks for public apology
New Delhi: In a recent development, the Supreme Court has refused to accept the apology offered by the President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dr. RV Asokan, regarding his comments made in a media interview concerning certain observations made by the Court.
Dr. Asokan appeared before the Court in response to a notice issued on an application by Patanjali Ayurved seeking contempt action against him. Despite conveying an unconditional apology to the bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, the Court expressed dissatisfaction with his conduct.
Justice Kohli expressed disappointment, stating, "Dr. Asokan, with your experience, we would have expected more sense of responsibility from you." Justice Amanullah labeled Dr. Asokan's conduct as "unfortunate," equating it with Patanjali's behavior, for which the Court had already discarded an apology.
The bench questioned the sincerity of Dr. Asokan's apology, pointing out that he hadn't issued a public apology before appearing in court. Dr. Asokan emphasized his respect for the institution but faced further skepticism from the judges.
Despite pleas from IMA's counsel Senior Advocate PS Patwalia, the Court remained unwilling to accept Dr. Asokan's apology at this stage. Justice Kohli reiterated, "We are not at this stage inclined to accept the apology tendered by your client."
The controversy arose in a case filed by IMA against Patanjali Ayurved for allegedly making misleading claims and disparaging advertisements against the Allopathic system of medicine. The Court had initiated contempt proceedings against Patanjali Ayurved and its founders for continuing to publish misleading medical advertisements in violation of a previous undertaking.
The recent turn of events came after Dr. Asokan criticized the Supreme Court's observations in a press interview following the Court's focus on IMA's internal practices. This led to Patanjali seeking action against Dr. Asokan for his remarks against the Court.
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NIA registers case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.
The move came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.
In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.
"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.
It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.
The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.
The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.
The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.
The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.
