New Delhi: Senior advocate H S Phoolka, who
has been handling the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases on behalf of
all victims, today said he would file a defamation suit
against former Delhi High Court judge R D Sodhi for accusing
him of professional misconduct.
"I am going to file a defamation suit against justice
R S Sodhi for making statement against me. He should have
thought before questioning my credentials," Phoolka told media
persons.
Phoolka was referring to justice Sodhi`s statement, in
which he had said a senior advocate had got monetary benefit
for handling riots cases.
Countering the allegation Phoolka said he had not taken
"even a rupee" for appearing in these cases.
"These are the baseless allegations to divert my attention
from the anti-Sikh riots cases, which are at crucial stage in
the court," he said.
Phoolka has been on the forefront of raising a banner of
support for the riots victims during judicial proceedings.
He has been appearing on behalf of the victims in
riots cases filed against senior Congress leaders Jagdish
Tytler and Sajjan Kumar.
Phoolka had decided to withdraw from all the riots cases
following allegations of "personal benefits" levelled against
him by justice Sodhi and President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara
Management Committee (DSGMC).
However, yesterday, he said he would continue handling
the cases after Akal Takth -- the apex decision making body in
the Sikh religion -- intervened and asked him to continue
appearing on behalf of the victims.
PTI
