Senior Advocate Rajeev Dhavan, who led the arguments for the Muslim parties in the Ayodhya case, today took to social media to announce the he is no longer involved in the case after he was “sacked” by his client in the matter. In this regard, Dhavan put up the following post on Facebook this morning:
“Just been sacked from the Babri case by AOR Ejaz Maqbool who was representing the Jamiat. Have sent formal letter accepting the ‘sacking’ without demur. No longer involved in the review or the case.“
A short while later, he also registered protest to rumours allegedly being spread that he was removed as a lawyer from the case as he was unwell. As stated in his Facebook post,
“I have been informed that Mr Madani has indicated that I was removed from the case because I was unwell. This is total nonsense. He has a right to instruct his lawyer AOR Ejaz Maqbol to sack me which he did on instructions. But the reason being floated is malicious and untrue.”
Dhawan’s resignation letter dated December 2 also states that the a call confirming his ‘sacking’ had been made yesterday morning on instructions by a party to the case. Referring to the call made, Dhawan also states,
“We were in agreement that the correct term was ‘sacked’ and you explained you had no choice in the matter.
With humility and respect and the norms of my profession, I accept the sacking.”
The letter details the chain of events that led to this “sacking”.
“Over the Draft of the Review, you (Mr. Maqbool), Akriti and Qurratlain met me on 25 and 30 November 2019. Meanwhile, Mr. Jilani and others met me desirous of meeting further to discuss ‘our’ draft which you would send to them. After the meeting with Mr. Jilani’s group (so to speak), you informed me that you wanted to file independent of the Jilani group. Since I had appeared for M .Siddiq (our client), I informed Mr. Jilani accordingly and indicated that these matters must be sorted out by clients and briefing lawyers. On 1 December 2019, Akriti and Qurratlain met me and we all but settled the Draft of the Review and were to meet today to finalize some details. Your call today initiated and confirmed my sacking.”
He signs off his letter by saying,
“I wish you all the best for your future endeavours.
The cause is bigger than all of us.”
Review petitions challenging the correctness of last month’s Ayodhya verdict were filed in the Supreme Court yesterday.
According to sources, Rajeev Dhavan was not available yesterday to settle the petition, when the petitioners wanted to file the same. Owing to this, his name did not appear in the petition.
However, it is understood that if the Supreme Court issues notice in the matter, the petitioners would then take a call on whether Dhavan would be requested to assist further in the matter.
[Read the Rajeev Dhavan’s resignation letter below]
