Appeal against ex-Prez Mukherjee’s book: Delhi HC judge reserves order, then withdraws it

The Delhi High Court bench of Justice Nazmi Waziri, which had been handed the petition against ex-President Pranab Mukherjee’s book after earlier judge Justice Pratibha M Singh had recused herself from the case, had heard the case and was supposed to pronounce his judgment on the day on Monday (April 9).

However, later in the day, Justice Waziri withdrew his reserved order and a new date of hearing is May 24.

The judge, instead, has sought some clarification from the petitioner. He has asked petitioner Umesh Chandra Pandey to clarify whether his complaint was registered as a suit in trial court.

The trial court, on November 30, 2016 had rejected the case about the book ‘Turbulent Years 1980-1996’. The allegation is that the book hurts Hindu sentiments.

The appellants want deletion of certain portions of the book, especially sections referring to the Babri Masjid demolition issue.

—India Legal Bureau