New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday has reserved its order in a contempt case against Advocate Prashant Bhushan for an interview against the judiciary in Tehelka magazine back in 2009.
The bench led by Justice Arun Mishra heard the matter off-camera and discussed the case with advocates on WhatsApp calls instead of an open court hearing, as they wanted to end the matter and protect the dignity of the apex court.
"Explanation/apology submitted by Mr Prashant Bhushan/Respondent No. 1 and Mr Tarun Tejpal/Respondent No.2, have not been received so far. In case we do not accept the explanation/apology, we will hear the matter. We reserve the order," read the order uploaded on the Supreme Court's website.
Read:| Expressing voices cannot be termed 'contempt', Prashant Bhushan tells SC
As per sources, Bhushan had refused to submit an apology as asked by the court but had agreed to issue a statement on the matter where he said that he used the word corruption in a 'wider sense meaning lack of propriety' in the interview and not only financial corruption or deriving any pecuniary advantage.
"If what I have said caused hurt to any of them or 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 of which I am a part, and had no intention to lower the prestige of the judiciary in which I have complete faith. I regret if my interview was misunderstood as doing so, that is, lower the reputation of the judiciary, especially the Supreme court, which could never have been my intention at all," read the statement.
Supreme Court has also initiated a suo moto contempt proceedings against Advocate Prashant Bhushan for his tweets against the present Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde for his picture showing him on a luxurious motorcycle owned by a BJP leader, and the former 4 CJIs for allowing the destruction of democracy.
Read:| Expression of opinion cannot constitute contempt of court: Activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan to SC
