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SC decides to continue with 2009 contempt case against advocate Prashant Bhushan

Last Updated 10 August 2020, 12:54 IST

The Supreme Court on Monday decided to continue with the 2009 contempt case against activist-advocate Prashant Bhushan for his allegations of corruption against former CJIs.

"Before reaching to any finding whether the statement made as to “corruption” would per se amount to Contempt of Court, the matter is required to be heard," a three-judge bench presided over by Justice Arun Mishra said.

The bench, also comprising Justices B R Gavai and Krishna Murari, rejected an explanation which included regret by Bhushan for his 2009 interview with the Tehelka magazine, where he hurled corruption allegations against eight out of 16 former Chief Justices of India.

The Supreme Court fixed August 17 as the date for further consideration of the matter. Senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, father of Prashant had sought to intervene into the matter. He submitted the matter should be heard when physical courts hearing is resumed.

On August 4, Bhushan refused to tender apology but he expressed regret, "if his statement caused hurt to judges or their family members and if it was misunderstood to lower the reputation of the judiciary".

Bhushan also said he had used the word corruption in a wide sense meaning lack of propriety. "I did not mean only financial corruption or deriving any pecuniary advantage. If what I have said caused hurt to any of them or to their families in any way, I regret the same. I unreservedly state that I support the institution of the judiciary and especially the Supreme Court," he said.

Bhushan is facing another Suo Motu criminal contempt for two tweets issued in June on the role of four CJIs in "destruction of democracy", current CJI riding a high-end bike and shutting the Supreme Court. The same bench had reserved its judgement in this separate matter.

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(Published 10 August 2020, 06:32 IST)

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