SC asks ex-BCCI prez Thakur to tender unconditional apology

The Supreme Court on Friday asked former BCCI president Anurag Thakur to tender an "unconditional, unequivocal" and "categorical" apology to get relief from the contempt proceedings initiated against him.

The apex court directed him to file a "one-page short affidavit" tendering apology, making it clear that it was not going to consider his earlier affidavit of apology.

A bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra, A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said it was not going to consider the earlier affidavit of apology filed by Thakur and asked him to file a "one-page short affidavit" tendering unconditional apology.

"We will grant you one more opportunity. We suggest that you file a one-page affidavit in categorical language that you tender an unequivocal and unconditional apology for the misinformation or miscommunication that happened," the bench said. The apex court also asked Thakur to be present on July 14 to tender the apology.

The bench indicated that it was willing to accept the apology and close the contempt proceedings against Thakur, a BJP MP from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh.

Senior advocate P S Patwalia, appearing for Thakur, said though his client was willing to tender an unconditional apology, he had a very good case on merit through which it can be proved that he did no wrong.