Activist-advocate Prashant Bhushan on Monday said he would pay Re one fine imposed by the Supreme Court in the contempt case for his tweets, but also indicated he would file a review plea against the order.
Bhushan said he has the greatest respect for the Supreme Court and judiciary, and his tweets were not intended to disrespect the apex court.
"While I reserve the right to seek a review of the conviction and sentencing, by way of an appropriate legal remedy, I propose to submit myself to this order, just as I would have submitted to any other lawful punishment," he said in a statement.
Hours after the court's order, he said, "I have always believed the SC to be the last bastion of hope, particularly for the weak and the oppressed who knock at its door for the protection of their rights, often against a powerful executive."
At a press conference by CJAR (Campaign for Judicial Accountability & Reforms) and Swaraj Abhiyan, he said the tweets were merely meant to express his anguish with the Supreme Court for "a deviation from its sterling past record".
The issue was never about "me versus the judges, much less about me versus the Supreme Court", he said.
Bhushan further said: "When the Supreme Court of India wins, every Indian wins. Every Indian wants a strong and independent judiciary. Obviously, if the courts get weakened, it weakens the republic and harms every citizen."
Bhushan, who refused to tender an apology or express regret for tweets, said, "What is very heartening is that this case has become a watershed moment for freedom of speech and seems to have encouraged many people to stand up and speak out against the injustices in our society."