Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: The Supreme Court will on Monday hear a petition moved by social activist Swami Agnivesh for dropping criminal proceedings against him in connection with his controversial comments on the Amarnath Yatra.
The former Team Anna member had earlier sought the dismissal of criminal proceedings against him but the apex court had been reluctant.
Triggering a controversy, Swami Agnivesh recently termed the annual pilgrimage as religious deception.
Earlier representing Agnivesh in the apex court, Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium had contended that his statement was distorted and that he had also issued a clarification on it.
He also said that the statement was not meant to hurt the sentiment of the people.
Showing reluctance to quash criminal proceedings against activist him, the Supreme Court on November 08 said people's sentiments cannot be taken for granted and that he cannot go “scot free” if he has made the remark.
A Bench of Justices H L Dattu and C K Prasad, which was about to dismiss Agnivesh's petition seeking quashing of the criminal proceedings, however, adjourned the matter for today after he pleaded for more time to put forth his case.
With PTI Input
First Published: Monday, November 14, 2011, 10:51