An ‘astonishing’ order for Sahara

A plea for reham (mercy) changed to an indignant expression of “astonishment” in the Sahara camp in open court, seconds after the Supreme Court denied bail to their jailed chief, Subrata Roy. On July 4, Sahara had ended their arguments with an emotional plea for ‘reham’. Tuesday’s order left them stunned. The drama started soon after Justice T.S. Thakur finished reading the order in court on Tuesday and asked Sahara counsel, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, if he had anything to say on behalf of his client. “I am astonished. I have not seen anything like this. This kind of order is not expected,” Mr. Dhavan said. To this, a calm-countenanced Justice Thakur said Mr. Roy’s “astonishment” started some time back before another Bench, and it continues still. “If we were sitting in appeal, we could have reduced your astonishment,” Justice Thakur reasoned. But Mr. Dhavan persisted, saying, “No person can be put in jail like this.” “Perhaps we do not come up to your expectation. This is a decision given in our wisdom,” Justice Thakur said.