SC announces its verdict in Prashant Bhushan Case today.

SC announces its verdict in Prashant Bhushan Case today

A Suo motu contempt case was filed against activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan for two tweets made by him that are being considered as derogatory remark against judiciary. Supreme Court is likely to announce its verdict on this matter today. Three judges bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra and also including BR Gavai and Krishan Murari announced their verdict today.

The three-judge bench held Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court due to alleged tweets made by him on Chief justice of India and his four predecessors. Initially on 5^th August 2020 court reserved its verdict due to Bhushan’s defending statement saying that those two derogatory tweets were not at all concerned to obstruct administration justice but they were made in context to personal capacity regarding their behaviour in general or in person. Also, the separate petition filed by Prashant Bhushan to recall the order issued on July 22 by which contempt proceedings were initiated against him due to those alleged tweets made by him was rejected by top court.

Senior Advocate Dushayant Dave, representing Prashant Bhushan argued that two tweets being mentioned are not at all against the institution and should not be seen as malicious. Further he referred to the contribution of Prashant Bhushan in overall development of Jurisprudence and stated the fact that there exists at least 50 judgements to his credit.

Further in the entire affidavit provided by Bhushan he totally sticks to that the tweets were in personal capacity and he has full right to express his opinion irrespective of the fact that another person agrees to it or not. He explained that his opinion no matter how outspoken its is cannot constitute contempt of court.

On the contrary the Apex court while referring to the tweets said that these tweets had prima facies capacity to undermine the authority and dignity of SC and CJI at large in eyes of general public. Further the arguments on sentence against him will be heard by SC on 5^th August 2020.

By Eshika Singla

SC announces its verdict in Prashant Bhushan Case today