Kerala Lottery Case: Singhvi withdraws

Kochi (Kerala), Sep 30 (ANI): All India Congress Committee spokesman Abhishek Singhvi today announced his decision to withdraw from the lottery case in Kerala after his appearance in the court on behalf of promoters of lotteries from outside the state created a storm in the Congress there.

"There was never any intention to have any conflict of interest. However, to avoid any communication gap or controversy, I have decided not to appear in the Kerala lottery case," the eminent lawyer said in Kochi.

Addressing reporters, Singhvi said: "I have decided to withdraw from this case and hence will not appear in this case again."

"I saw this case as a lawyer sees it, but now I have realised that there is a huge resentment over my taking up the case and hence have withdrawn from this case," said Singhvi.

Singhvi appeared for Megha Distributors - an agent for lotteries of Sikkim and Bhutan - in the court Wednesday and Thursday.

The Congress in Kerala has been vigorously campaigning against the "illegal" Sikkim and Bhutan lotteries whose tickets are sold in the state, alleging that the CPI-M-led state government was helping Megha Distributors.

Lotteries from outside the state have been allegedly making Rs.14,000 crore annually.

The opposition alleges that the lotteries from other states are sold without any checks on the number of tickets sold, the draws announced and the sales tax they are required to pay. (ANI)