Muslims’ counsel in trouble over tearing of map

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 17

The act of tearing a pictorial map purportedly showing the birthplace of Lord Ram during the Ayodhya land dispute hearing in the Supreme Court has invited trouble for senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan as a Hindu priest on Thursday wrote to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi seeking revocation of his ‘senior advocate’ designation.

One of the factions of All India Hindu Mahasabha too wrote to the Bar Council of India demanding appropriate action against Dhavan for his “highly unethical act” of tearing the pictorial map during the last day of Ayodhya hearing on Wednesday.

Lawyers and visitors were left bewildered when Dhavan tore the pictorial map handed over by senior lawyer Vikas Singh, representing the Mahasabha, in a jam-packed courtroom number 1 of the Supreme Court.

In his letter to the CJI, Ajay Gautam, a Hindu priest, termed Dhavan’s act as “offensive” and “illegal”.

He also sought cancellation of licence to practise law of Dhavan who represented the Muslim parties in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute.

“That on October 16, 2019 the above named accused tore the holly map...Before the Lordships during judicial proceedings..., it is submitted that said news published worldwide by all sources of media about the above illegal and offensive act of the accused,” the letter petition said, accusing Dhavan of hurting religious sentiments of Hindus.