SC orders written apology regarding sting operation

New Delhi, Nov 22 (UNI) The Supreme Court today told Zee News correspondent Vijay Shekhar to file a written apology for carrying out a sting operation for exposing corruption in the lower judiciary.

The case relates to the issuance of non-bailable warrant (NBWs) against the then President A P J Abdul Kalam, Chief Justice V A Khare, Supreme Court Judge Justice B P Singh and senior Supreme Court advocate late R K Jain on a bogus complaint on illegal gratification allegedly paid by petitioner Vijay Shekhar to an advocate in Meghani Nagar district court in Gujarat.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justices R V Raveendran and J M Panchal told the petitioner that an oral apology will not do and he will have to file an unconditional apology in writing within four weeks.

According to the sting operation carried out in 2004, Rs 40,000 was paid to the advocate, who was the president of the concerned Bar Association for getting issued NBWs.

However, the NBWs were stayed by the apex court and the concerned Magistrate was placed under suspension by the Gujarat High Court and an inquiry was ordered against him.

Magistrate Braham Bhatt was given a clean chit after the inquiry and has since been reinstated.

The apex court has adjourned the hearing till January next.

UNI