The apology was tendered for the the delay in transfer of three policemen despite directions from the court.
Additional chief secretary (home) Balwant Singh on Wednesday filed an affidavit in the Gujarat high court tendering his unconditional and unreserved apology for the delay in transfer of three policemen despite directions by the court.
The high court had ordered the transfer of the three police officers on the recommendation of the special investigating team (SIT) probing the Ishrat Jahan encounter case. The hearing on Singh's affidavit will be held on May 12.
Singh filed the affidavit on Wednesday as, earlier, a bench of the Gujarat high court comprising justices Jayant Patel and Abhilasha Kumari had issued a contempt notice against him.
The bench had sought explanation from the senior official as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for not complying with the court's order.
The bench had then directed the government to transfer IPS officers PP Pandey, GL Singhal and inspector BA Patel who were involved in the encounter, so that witnesses could come forward fearlessly.
In his affidavit, Singh has stated: "I hold the court in the highest esteem and there has never been any intention on my part or any of the officers of the department to disobey or flout the court's order."
Giving reasons for the delay in transfer of officers, Singh said that the delay had occurred because of the budget session in the state legislature during which the minister of state (home) was busy with questions asked by legislators.
"The minister had responded to 409 starred questions during that period in the assembly," Singh said. He also blamed the security arrangements for the cricket match of the world cup that were scheduled in the state at the time, for the delay.
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