Bulandshahr: SC unhappy over Azam’s non-appearance

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed unhappiness over non-appearance of UP minister Azam Khan through his lawyer in connection with his comments on the Bulandshahr gangrape case and asked CBI to serve a fresh notice to him.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed unhappiness over non-appearance of Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan through his lawyer in connection with the sensational Bulandshahr gangrape case and asked the CBI to serve a fresh notice on the Samajwadi Party leader.

“In our considered opinion, the respondent number 2 (Khan) should have entered appearance as there is a direct allegation against him. In view of the aforesaid, we direct the CBI to serve the notice on respondent number 2,” a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said.

It directed the SC registry to provide copy of the case records along with the notice to CBI for serving them on the minister.

The court said it seems whatever had been said by Khan is in “his personal capacity”.

The remarks came when Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, appearing for CBI, submitted that the notice could have been served through UP government as Khan is part of the cabinet.

The bench, meanwhile, allowed lawyer Kislay Pandey, appearing for the victim’s father, to file additional documents in the case and fixed the matter for further hearing on October 25.