SC issues notice to Prashant Bhushan in contempt case

NEWDELHI:THE Supreme Court on Wednesday initiated contempt proceedingsagainst lawyerprashant Bhushan for accusing the judiciary of destroying democracy and keeping courts closed during the lockdown in two of his tweets last month.

Issuing notice to Bhushan to respond by August 5, a threejudge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said, “We are, prima facie, of the view that the aforesaid statements on Twitter have brought the administration of justice into disrepute and are capable of undermining the dignity and authority of the Institution of Supreme Court in general and the office of the Chief Justice of India in particular, in the eyes of public at large.”

Twitter Inc. was also made a contemnor by the Court along with Bhushan. Senior advocate Sajan Poovayya, appearing for Twitter Inc told the Court that a tweet can be “disabled” only on a judicial order. When he asked the Court to pass an order to this effect, the bench, also comprising Justices BR Gavai and Krishna Murari said: “Why should we direct? On your own you should have done it.” Poovayya told the Court that he would consult with Twitter and respond by the next date. The Court has issued notice to Attorney General KK Venugopal for assisting in this case.

Bhushan did not appear in court and was not represented by any lawyer. The Court order took note of the first tweet dated June 27, which was also carried in a national daily and the subsequent one on June 29, against which the Court received a petition for initiating contempt.

This is the third contempt petition Bhushan will face. The first refers to a 2010 interview by Bhushan to Tehelka magazine alleging half of the last 16 CJIS were corrupt.

The matter was last heard in 2012. After eight years, this matter is listed for Friday before a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra.