Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan who is representing Sunni Waqf board in the contentious Ayodhya case has told Supreme Court that he and his clerk continue to receive threats for advocating for the Muslim body.
As soon the hearing began, Dhavan told the court that a week ago, he received a threatening message on Facebook warning that “they will see him outside the court.” Moreover a minister has also said that they “own” the disputed site and the Supreme Court. Some people also messaged him asking which side he was on and whether he is against the deity (Ram), Dhavan said adding that these things did not create a good atmosphere and that he is under pressure.
“This has to be deprecated. This is something which should not be happening,” a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said.
The moment the bench assembled to commence hearing in the decades old politically sensitive case on 22nd day, senior lawyer Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for the Sunni Waqf Board and others, alleged that yesterday his clerk was also threatened by few other people in the Supreme Court premises.
“This is not the right atmosphere conducive for hearing,” Mr Dhavan said, adding that these things should not happen in the court and “one word from your Lordship” will be enough on this. The bench, which also comprise justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer, then proceeded with the hearing in the case.
The court asked Dhavan whether he wants security and protection. Dhavan said that he did not need security and protection as the court assurance is enough for him. Dhavan said he had been non-partisan when it comes to arguing a case, which he did while arguing Kashi and Kamakshya cases in past.