Statue row: UP chief secretary apologises to SC

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Atul Kumar Gupta has tendered a 'sincere and unqualified apology' to the Supreme Court for allegedly going ahead with the construction of the Rs 2,600-crore memorials and statues of Dalit icons, including Chief Minister Mayawati, in Lucknow.

In a 51-page affidavit, Gupta, while strongly denying any defiance of the SC's directions, said he has the highest respect for the apex court and was 'duty bound to comply' with its orders in 'letter and spirit'.

On October 6, the apex court had served the chief secretary with a contempt notice, following complaints that the state government was going ahead with the construction work despite giving two undertakings before it on September 8 and 11 that it would be stopped.

"I humbly and most respectfully submit that I have the highest regard for the orders passed by this Honourable Court. I had acted in compliance of the orders passed by this Honourable Court. However, I hereby tender my sincere and unqualified apology for any kind of disobedience or deviation, aberration of misconstruction, if any, which might have happened in implementing the orders passed by this Honourable Court. Any such disobedience of deviation, if any, was inadvertent and I hereby undertake that I shall do everything in due compliance of the orders of this Honourable Court as may be directed by this Honourable Court," the affidavit said.