SCBA distances itself from its president’s letter to Prez Murmu to intervene in Electoral Bonds case
New Delhi: The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) found itself embroiled in controversy after its president, Adish C. Aggarwala, wrote a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her intervention in a recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the electoral bonds scheme.
In an unusual move, Aggarwala's letter sought to protect the interests of corporate entities that have funded political parties through the electoral bonds scheme, a move that has stirred debate and drawn criticism from within the legal fraternity.
The letter, dated March 11, raised concerns about the Supreme Court's decision to reveal the names of corporates contributing to political parties through electoral bonds. Aggarwala argued that disclosing this information could leave these corporates vulnerable to victimization and harassment by political parties receiving less contribution from them. He invoked Article 143 of the Constitution, urging the President to consult the apex court and hold back its judgment on the matter.
Aggarwala's plea came amidst mounting pressure and scrutiny following the Supreme Court's directive for the State Bank of India to disclose details of bonds purchased by corporates to the Election Commission of India for public disclosure. The move aimed at promoting transparency in political funding, but Aggarwala's intervention sought to challenge it on grounds of protecting corporate interests.
However, Aggarwala's actions faced condemnation from the SCBA's executive committee. In a resolution issued on March 12, the committee disassociated itself from Aggarwala's letter and labeled it an attempt to undermine the authority of the Supreme Court. The committee clarified that Aggarwala had not been authorized to write such a letter on behalf of the SCBA, and his views did not represent those of the committee members.
“However, it is noticed that below his signature on that letter he has inter alia mentioned his designation as president of the Supreme Court Bar Association.”
“Therefore, it has become expedient for the executive committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association to make it abundantly clear that the members of the committee have neither authorised the president to write any such letter nor do they subscribe to his views as expressed therein,” the committee clarified.
Elected to the post of president in May 2023, Aggarwala's tenure has been marked by controversy and internal strife. His previous clashes with former SCBA president Dushyant Dave and his inconsistent stances on various legal issues have attracted scrutiny and criticism.
Aggarwala's recent letter to the President is the latest in a series of contentious actions, including his support for the Narendra Modi government's stance on same-sex marriage and his attempts to influence judicial proceedings related to the farmers' protest.
Supreme Court Bar Association clarifies that it has not authorised SCBA President Adish Aggarwala to write to the President of India to not enforce the #ElectoralBonds verdict.
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) March 13, 2024
SCBA condemns his letter saying it’s an attempt to undermine the authority of the #SupremeCourt. pic.twitter.com/jjnZJUcJZ9
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Prime organiser of Messi event in Kolkata arrested over ‘mismanagement’ after stadium chaos
Kolkata (PTI): The police on Saturday arrested Satadru Datta, the prime organiser of the Lionel Messi football event at Salt Lake Stadium here, following widespread chaos at the venue, which prompted the Argentine World Cup-winning captain to leave the field early.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the stadium unrest, Datta was held by the Bidhannagar Police for “mismanagement” of the event from the Kolkata airport, where he had gone to see off Messi and his entourage on their way to Hyderabad.
"We are looking into whether there was any mismanagement from the organiser's side, which led to the chaos at the stadium. He has been detained, and the police have now brought the situation under control," West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said at a press conference.
A senior police officer later confirmed that Dutta has been arrested. Till reports last received, the police were interrogating him and his manager inside one of the departure lounges of the airport.
The organiser has given in writing that he will refund the prices of tickets he sold to the disappointed spectators, Kumar said.
What was supposed to be a marquee football spectacle turned into widespread violence and disorder at the stadium after Messi’s brief and tightly ring-fenced appearance, his first at the venue since 2011, left large sections of the crowd frustrated, as they failed to catch a glimpse of their superstar despite having travelled from far and wide, paying hefty sums for tickets.
Police said they were also investigating how organisers allowed sale of bottled waters and beverages inside the stadium premises, which are banned items during such events.
Thousands of water bottles were used as missiles and lobbed inside the pitch by angry spectators, who also uprooted bucket seats from the gallery and used them as ammunition inside the field against the defending police and security personnel.
Spectators alleged that water bottles were being sold at a massive premium inside the stadium despite police disallowing such items from outside at the entry gates.
Police agreed there was an underlying tension in the galleries on account of Messi not showing his footballing skills on the field, which only got aggravated after a bunch of VIPs, including State Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and unidentified people, blocked the football icon’s view during the limited time he spent on the ground.
“We are on the job, and will ensure that whoever is responsible for what happened today at Salt Lake Stadium will be punished, and action will be taken against the authorities concerned,” said Jawed Shamim, ADG, Law and Order.
