Abu Asim Azmi apologises to HC

Nagpur, Mar 13 (UNI) Samajwadi Party (SP) Maharashtra unit President Abu Asim Azmi, MP, has tendered an unconditional apology to the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court over his petition, challenging the ban on his entry into Amravati in Vidarbha region.

In his application filed before the court yesterday, Azmi said he had filed the petition as a result of 'lack of proper information.' He has also sought the court's permission to withdraw the petition.

The single bench of Justice S R Dongaonkar, while accepting his application, has posted the matter for hearing on March 19.

Azmi moved the application after counsel for the government told the court that a letter had been sent to the MP well in advance informing him of the ban on his entry into Amravati.

The SP leader had challenged an order of Amravati police, preventing him from entering the city till December 25 last and addressing any public meeting there. The party's local unit had organised the public meeting and had sought permission from the police for Azmi to attend. The police refused permission on the ground that he was likely to spread communal hatred.

Azmi then moved the court on the grounds that as an MP and a leader of a political party, he was entitled to visit any part of the country and address public meetings there.

UNI AB OBB RL KN1755