Ayodhya case: ‘Clerk assaulted in Supreme Court premises, threats continue’, Rajiv Dhavan tells apex court   

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ENIOR advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for the Sunni Waqf Board, on Thursday said that he is getting threats for representing the Muslim parties in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case.

Appearing before the Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi hearing the Ayodhya title dispute, Dhavan told the court that his clerk is also the target of threats from other clerks.

He alleged that he had received a threatening message on Facebook and the other day his clerk was assaulted by few other persons on the apex court premises. "Its not a conducive atmosphere for hearing," Dhavan told the court and urged "one word from your Lordship" will be enough on this.

He asserted, "Let me make it absolutely clear that I don't argue against Hindu faith." Dhavan who has argued Kashi and Kamakshya cases in past maintained that he was non-partisan when it came to arguing a case.

Asked by the court if he needed security, he said that he did not need police protection as the court assurance was enough for him.

After a minister boasted that they "own" the disputed site and the Supreme Court, some people reportedly messaged him asking which side he was on and whether he is against Hindu religion.

While Dhavan had filed a contempt petition against an octogenarian for cursing him, he He told the court that he was under tremendous pressure and cannot keep filing contempt petitions.

Asserting that both the sides are free to put their arguments before the court without any fear, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi condemned the threat, saying that "such things should not happen."