New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked controversial Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan to ‘unconditionally apologise’ for his alleged remarks on the Bulandshahr gang-rape case.
Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Khan, that “if he (Khan) files an affidavit tendering unconditional apology, the matter ends”.
During the hearing, Sibal told the bench that though Khan has not said anything offensive against the victims in the case, however, if the father of the victim felt “insulted or offended” then the Samajwadi Party leader is willing to apologise.
“Let the affidavit tendering unconditional apology be filed within two weeks,” the bench said.
Terming dignity of women as “uncompromisable”, the bench asked the state government to ensure that the minor survivor of the gang-rape gets admission in a nearby central school of the choice of her father.
The cost of admission and education shall be borne by the state government and the Centre will render all assistance for it, the court said, noting the school will ensure the dignity of the rape survivor.
“The controversy does not end here. The unconditional apology to be given by Khan will be considered by this court as to whether it should be accepted,” the bench, which fixed the matter for further hearing on December 7, said.
The bench added that it would deliberate upon the questions framed by it earlier regarding the freedom of speech and expression and probable impact of statements of those holding high offices on free and fair probe in heinous cases including rape and molestation.
PTI