Advocate Rajeev Dhavan Says Sacked For "Nonsense Reason" From Babri Case

Rajeev Dhavan had vehemently argued the case for the Muslim side before a five-judge bench headed by then Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. He had argued for more than two weeks in the 40-day hearing of the matter.

Picture: Rajeev Dhavan (PIC/Facebook account)

New Delhi: Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, after being sacked by the Muslim parties on Tuesday, wrote to the Advocate on Record Ejaz Maqbool saying that he accepts the decision "with humility and respect." Dhavan had represented the Muslim parties in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case in the Supreme Court. He gave the information about his sacking in a Facebook post published early Tuesday morning. He wrote: "Just been sacked from the Babri case by advocate-on-record Ejaz Maqbool, who was representing the Jamiat. Have sent formal letter accepting the sacking without demur. No longer involved in the review of the case." In the long letter to Maqbool, Dhavan went on to elaborate the chain of events. The tone of the letter was visibly of surprise. "Over the draft of the review, you (Mr Maqbool), Akriti and Qurratlain met me on November 25 and 30, 2019. Meanwhile Mr Jilani and others met me desirous of meeting further to discuss 'our draft' which you would send to them," read the letter by Dhavan. Dhavan had vehemently argued the case for the Muslim side before a five-judge bench headed by then Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. He had argued for more than two weeks in the 40-day hearing of the matter. During the course of the arguments over the case in the Supreme Court, Dhavan had replied to the probing queries from the bench. Elaborating on the reason for his removal from the case, Dhavan said: "I have been informed that Mr Madani has indicated that I was removed from the case because I was unwell." He has referred Madani's reason as "total nonsense. He has a right to instruct his lawyer Maqbool to sack me, which he did on instructions. But the reason being floated is malicious and untrue," said Dhavan in the second post on the social media platform. The review petition was filed by Maulana Syed Ashhad Madani, President, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind. Muslim parties have put out a volley of questions in the petition challenging the November 9 judgement in the title dispute case. The review petition said the apex court has erred on 14 key points while arriving at a judgment in favour of the Hindu parties. "By virtue of the impugned judgment, the Supreme Court has effectively granted a mandamus to destroy the Babri Masjid and to construct a temple of Lord Ram in the said place", said the review petition emphasising that peace without justice is not possible.