In veiled dig at Rahul, Dhankhar says man on constitutional post trying to destroy economy

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 16

In a veiled attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Vice-President (V-P) Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday alleged that “a person holding constitutional position” was trying to destroy the Indian economy.

Addressing students at the National Law University, Delhi, Dhankhar took serious objection to the request made to the Supreme Court to take suo moto cognisance of a recent Hindenburg Research report on Adani.

“I got extremely worried when a person holding a constitutional position, just last week, declared in a well-publicised media… I would say... campaign, beseeching the Supreme Court to suo moto invoke jurisdiction… to give wings to a narrative aimed at destroying our economy,” Dhankhar said.

Alleging that the integrity of SEBI had been “gravely compromised” by the allegations against its chairperson Madhabi Buch in Hindenburg Research report, Gandhi had wondered if the Supreme Court would look into the matter suo moto once again.

The V-P called upon the youth to rebuff and neutralise forces that keep partisan and self-interest above that of the nation. “We cannot allow it. It happens, it is at the cost of our rise,” he added. Dhankhar said, “You are law students. I will leave two thoughts with you. One, scratch your brains and find out… Jurisdiction of institution is defined by the Indian Constitution, be it legislature, executive or judiciary. Jurisdiction of courts is decided. Look around the globe, look at the Supreme Court in the US, the highest court in the UK or other formats.”

“Has there been suo moto cognisance even once? Has a remedy been created beyond what is provided in the Constitution? The Constitution provides original jurisdiction, appellate jurisdiction. It provides review (jurisdiction) also. But we have curative (jurisdiction)! If you do not focus on these nuances, I wonder who shall do it. Think about it,” the V-P said.