Prashant Bhushan gets bar backing

NEW DELHI: The Bar Association of India came out in support of activist-lawyer Prasant Bhushan, convicted for contempt of court, saying at a time the citizenry is facing huge challenges, the stature of the SC would stand enhanced by allowing criticism rather than taking umbrage at his remarks.

The Executive Committee of the BAI said it was "deeply dismayed and concerned by the manner of exercise of suo motu contempt jurisdiction by the SC against a member of the legal profession in the case relating to Bhushan." Bhushan faces six months simple imprisonment or fine upto Rs 2,000 or both as the maximum punishment for the contempt. The top court would hear on August 20, the arguments on the quantum of sentence.

The BAI said it was of the view that "the exercise of contempt jurisdiction by the court in this manner has potential for more self-harm than the avowed purpose of safeguarding the prestige of the institution."

"Trenchant criticism, commentary, satire and humour help build institutions in a free society. Judgments that curb the exercise of freedom of speech and expression by a member of the Bar by resort to suo motu powers is conspicuously old fashioned. "The reputation of the SC cannot be dislodged by a couple of 'tweets'. At a time the citizenry is facing huge challenges, the stature of the SC would stand enhanced by allowing criticism rather than taking umbrage at such remarks," it said.