Letter written to CJI seeking initiation of suo motu contempt against AIMPLB

A letter petition addressed to Chief Justice SA Bobde, seeks initiation of a suo motu contempt petition against All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) in connection with a tweet which allegedly lowered the dignity of the Supreme Court.

New Delhi: Advocate Vinay Vats has written a letter to the Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde, seeking initiation of suo moto contempt case against the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) for its tweet on Babri Masjid demolition on August 4.

The tweet was posted in wake of Bhumi Puja in Ayodhya for construction of Ram Temple. The twitter reads: "#Babri Masjid was and will always be a Masjid. #HagiaSophia is a great example for us. Usurpation of the land by an unjust, oppressive, shameful and majority appeasing judgment can't change its status. No need to be heartbroken. Situations don’t last forever."

"The said statement made by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) not only scandalizes this Hon’ble Court, but it also issued a veiled threat by invoking Hagia Sofia which was recently converted to a mosque in Turkey," Vats said in his letter.

"It is submitted that the constitution has given its citizens right to freedom of speech and expression, but it has also given certain powers to the judiciary to guard against the misuse of the same, to prevent the right to freedom of speech and expression being so exercised that it damages the dignity of the Courts or interferes with the 'administration of justice'," read the letter.

The petitioner has also informed that he has filed a contempt petition before the Supreme Court, but the same is lying under defect and is awaiting a response from the Solicitor General for a sanction letter.