The controversial photograph showing Azad seated with Heptulla after her graduation was published in an ICCR publication titled "Journey of a Legend, on the life of India's first Education Minister". The publication was later withdrawn by ICCR.
Delhi High Court was told on Tuesday that union minister Najma Heptulla had personally chosen a morphed photograph of India's first education minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad with her, for a book when she headed the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Azad's grandnephew Firoz Bakht Ahmed, who had filed a plea alleging morphing of the photograph, relied on some letters and testimonials of ICCR's librarian, printer of disputed book and other officials and claimed that these made "the act of morphing a clear open and shut case."
The controversial photograph showing Azad seated with Heptulla after her graduation was published in an ICCR publication titled "Journey of a Legend, on the life of India's first Education Minister". The publication was later withdrawn by ICCR.
"It shows that morphed photograph was personally selected by the then President of ICCR, Najma Heptulla. It is evident that no other officer of ICCR were responsible for an act of morphing. Selection of morphed photograph was done solely by the President, ICCR," the affidavit filed by Ahmed said. He claimed that from the testimonies and letters, it was evident that the photograph personally selected by Heptulla was morphed, within her knowledge and the "cut and paste job" was duly monitored by her till its publication.
"In the capacity of President, ICCR Najma Heptulla tried to cover up the whole issue of photo morphing and letters by the DG, ICCR is clear evidence to it wherein he was threatened not to make the issue of morphing public. Therefore, on account of the aforementioned facts, the present case requires thorough investigation for investigation /prosecution of the offence of forgery," the affidavit said.
On April 23, the court had refused to give urgent hearing in the matter observing there is no fire in the plea. The petitioner alleged that the photograph was morphed as Heptulla had graduated in May 1958 whereas Azad had died on February 22, 1958. He had pleaded with the court for a CBI inquiry in the controversy.
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