New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its order on the sentencing regarding the suo motu criminal contempt case against lawyer-turned-activist Prashant Bhushan. The case has been postponed till September 10 when a new bench will hear the case since justice Arun Mishra, who was heading the three-judge bench is retiring on September 2.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Arun Mishra in an emotional voice asked Prashant Bhushan, “If you are hurting someone, then what is wrong in apologizing…For how long the system will suffer all this. I am retiring in a few days. Will it be okay if you or others start attacking me? Why to say you can say anything against retired judges?”
Moreover, while the bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra sought his views on the ‘defiant’ statement of Bhushan, attorney general K K Venugopal told requested the court not to give any punishment if Bhushan was prepared to apologise. “He (Bhushan) should withdraw all statements and express regret,” the top law officer said.
He has refused to offer an apology to the Supreme Court for his two tweets against the judiciary, saying what he expressed represented his bona fide belief which he continued to hold. “Bhushan says the Supreme Court has collapsed, is it not objectionable?” asked the bench.
Further, the bench added, “The court can speak through orders only and even in his affidavit, Bhushan has made disparaging remarks against the judiciary.”
When Bhushan does not think he did anything wrong then what is the point of giving him advice to not repeating it,” the bench said.
Venugopal told the bench that the court should warn him and take a compassionate view. The bench which also comprised Justices B R Gavai and Krishna Murari, said “A Person should realize his mistake, we gave Bhushan time but he says he will not apologize,” the bench said.
On August 20, the top court had granted time till August 24 to Bhushan to reconsider his defiant statement refusing to apologize and tender unconditional apology for contemptuous tweets against the judiciary.
(Aditya Hore)