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'God has indeed answered all our prayers'

Michael Gonsalves in Pune

"Even as my husband took charge as Pune municipal commissioner on Thursday morning after the Bombay high court reinstated him, I was so worried when the case was referred to the Supreme Court. But God is on our side as God heard our and Punekars's prayers," said a beaming Preeti, Arun Bhatia's wife in an exclusive interview with Rediff On The NeT. The Supreme Court on Thursday evening rejected the Maharashtra government's Special Leave Petition to stay the high court order.

"It was the greatest moment of joy and happiness as all our previous days of agony and mental suffering were wiped out when the Supreme Court delivered the judgment in our favour," she said.

The Supreme Court bench, comprising of Justices S P Bharucha and R C Lahoti, hearing arguments from both sides on Thursday, refused to grant a stay and held that "the matter be listed in routine course."

In view of the court’s observations, the case is unlikely to come up for hearing before a month which is the normal routine.

Of all her husband's government postings, Preeti Bhatia said the stint in Pune will always remain "dear to our hearts."

"Bringing back my husband to the Pune Municipal Corporation is indeed a victory of the people. I am moved, happy and deeply indebted to all the Punekars who were instrumental to restore him to his rightful place," she said.

"It feels great that whatever happens, the citizens have the right to move the courts for a fair and just judgment," she added.

"My husband has often got into trouble one way or the other while dealing with all kinds of issues which I suppose is any honest and hardworking officer’s bane, but I am grateful that people can always knock the doors of the court to get justice," an elated Preeti said.

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