Court to hear contempt case against Mulayam on Jan 17

Lucknow, Jan 13 (PTI) The hearing on the petition seekinginitiation of criminal contempt proceedings against SamajwadiParty chief Mulayam Singh Yadav for his statement after theAllahabad High Court''s verdict on the Ayodhya title suits hasbeen deferred to January 17.

The bench of Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Vedpal hasfixed January 17 as the next date of hearing, said locallawyer Bal Gangadhar Tripathi, who filed the petition.

The petition, alleging that Yadav''s statement soon afterthe verdict of the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court onthe Ayodhya title suits was contemptuous, sought initiation ofcriminal contempt proceedings against Yadav.

On October 1, a day after the verdict, the SP head hadsaid he was disappointed as faith was given priority overlegal procedures.

"I am disappointed as the decision was delivered bykeeping faith above law and evidences," Mulayam had said whilereading out a written statement.

He had said Muslims were "feeling cheated and the entirecommunity was in a state of despair".

"This is not a good sign for the country, theConstitution and even for the judiciary," the SP supremo hadsaid. PTI CORR AVA PG SHS