New Delhi, August 14
Denying reports in a section of the media that it had authorised someone to bring people to meet President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the Rashtrapati Bhavan has said that any such communication by any person is “totally mischievous, unauthorised and illegal. Necessary legal steps are also being taken in this regard”.

The President’s secretariat made it clear that anyone “can directly meet the President after seeking appointment from her private secretary”.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan has been quick in quashing reports in the media that a person claiming to be a convener of Mumbai’s Trans Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industries has sent messages to people that if they wanted to meet the President, they should join the chamber and submit their photographs and some money.

Official sources clarified that “no such person by the name of Sanjay Bhide or Niranjan Gangawala reportedly mentioned in the message or any other person has been authorised to bring people to meet the Hon’ble President”.