“Mrs Gandhi never mentioned any names... Mrs Gandhi said nothing wrong. She said what the state Government has already admitted in the Supreme Court, nothing more, nothing less. She said nothing against Modi,” Union Minister Kapil Sibal said at a press conference here.

AICC spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi had said in a press briefing early this week that “merchant of death” remark was the “most apposite” for Modi and it was rather “mild”. There has apparently been some rethinking in the party on this issue.

According to Sibal, her remarks were directed at state functionaries for the manner they were functioning. “On 24 April, Vanjhara (DIG D G Vanjhara, the main accused in fake encounter case) went to jail. Before that there were 14 encounters out of which 10 involved Vanjara. Most of them were about some conspiracy to attack Modi. Surprising thing is, there has been no encounter after April 24,” said Sibal.

Modi had said Sonia Gandhi’s remarks had provoked him into making the controversial remark about Sohrabuddin. Countering his claims, Sibal said, “He brought out half-page advertisements in all Gujarati newspapers—that were communal in nature—on November 28 and 30, much before Mrs Gandhi went to Gujarat.” A copy of the advertisement furnished by him read: “On the wounds of Godhra they poured salt. They appointed the Banerjee Commission.”

Meanwhle, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer has sent a report on Sonia’s “maut ka saudagar” comment, made at an election rally in Chikhli on December 1, to the Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami. The report was made following a complaint by the state BJP on December 2.

SC to hear pleas against Modi on Monday

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear on Monday two petitions filed by Rubabbuddin Sheikh and lyricist Javed Akhtar seeking action against Narendra Modi in the wake of his statement justifying the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh in a fake encounter.

A Bench comprising Justices Tarun Chatterjee and Dalveer Bhandari posted the matter for hearing on Monday. The petitioners have sought registration of an FIR and initiation of contempt proceedings against Modi, transfer of cases outside Gujarat and entrusting investigations to CBI or a special investigation team.

In his petition, Sohrabuddin’s brother Rababbudin has asked for initiation of contempt proceedings against Modi for wilful interference with the administration of Justice.

In the other petition, Akhtar has pleaded for constitution of an SIT to probe involvement of Modi in all fake encounter killings done by the Gujarat Police and registration of FIR against him for offences under the IPC and Representation of People Act.