Prashant Bhushan case: SC reserves order, hearing on August 25 if 'apology rendered'

In ongoing vocate Prashant Bhushan contempt case, Supreme Court's three-judge bench on Thursday reserved its order, while hearing Bhushan's plea seeking deferment of sentence hearing. bench comprising of Justices Arun Mishra, B.R Gavai and Krishna Murari directed Bhushan to render an unconditional apology for his submitted statement by 24 August, if he desires to do so. Court prounced that matter will be next heard on 25 August, if Bhushan apologises. 

"We will be fair to you, even if you are t fair to us": SC tells Prashant Bhushan

Prashant Bhushan contempt case hearing on Aug 25

Bhushan seeking a deferment on his sentencing said, “I do t ask for mercy, I do t appeal to magnanimity. I am here, refore, to cheerfully submit to any penalty that can lawfully be inflicted upon me for what Court has determined to be an offence, and what appears to me to be highest duty of a citizen,” in his statement. 

He ded that he was dismayed with fact that Court has arrived at conclusion of holding him guilty without providing any evidence of his motives. He also stated that he did t believe his tweets could 'destabilize very foundation of this important pillar of Indian democracy'. While bench did t defer hearing on sentencing, it assured Bhushan that punishment awarded to him will be enforced until his review petition is considered and decided upon.

Majeed Memon slams Prashant Bhushan case ruling, says it caused 'crack in civil society'

SC holds Bhushan guilty

On 14 August, SC h held Bhushan guilty of contempt of court for posting tweets to malign im of judiciary. Maintaining that Bhushan's tweet commenting on CJI SA Bobde's photo on a motorcycle in Nagpur and alleging 'SC is under lockdown' was factually incorrect. It also said that comments on CJI  to hint that he is keeping SC in lockdown was malicious and has a tendency to 'shake confidence' of public at large in judiciary. Supreme Court will pass his sentence on August 21.

'Highly objectionable': 103 eminent citizens take on lobby backing Prashant Bhushan

Observing on Bhushan's second tweet alleging SC and previous four CJI's role in 'destruction of Indian democracy in past 6 years', SC said that criticism is t against a particular judge but institution of Supreme Court and institution of CJI. Slamming SC's ruling, prominent personalities, retired SC judges, senior lawyers, former bureaucrats, politicians, and human rights organisation have criticised top court’s order against Bhushan.  In response, bar councils of Maharashtra and Goa, unanimously passed a resolution to support Supreme Court ruling.

Prashant Bhushan held guilty for contempt of court by SC for tweets against CJI, judiciary