Prashant Bhushan Reacts To SC Verdict, "Will Respectfully Pay Re 1 Fine, Never Disrespected The Court"

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan held a press conference after the Supreme Court's verdict in relation to his tweets. The SC directed him to pay Re 1 fine or go to jail for 3 months.

New Delhi: After the Supreme Court on Monday sentenced activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan to a fine of Rupee 1 within September 15 in the contempt of Chief Justice Of India (CJI) and judiciary case, the lawyer addressed the media in a press conference and said that he gratefully accepts the verdict of the apex court and will pay the fine. Also Read|'Pay Re 1 As Fine Or Go To Jail For 3 Months': SC Punishes Prashant Bhushan For Committing Contempt Prashant Bhushan also said, "My tweets were not intended to disrespect SC but were meant to express my anguish at what I felt was a deviation from its sterling record... This is a watershed moment for freedom of speech & seems to have encouraged many ppl to speak out against injustices."  "The case has inspired several citizens to raise their voice against injustice. My tweets were based on what I regarded as the highest duty of a citizen," said Prashant Bhushan. Prashant Bhushan, photographed holding up a Re 1 coin, announced at a press conference: "I propose to submit to the order and respectfully pay the fine." Prashant Bhushan further said that his lawyer and senior colleague Rajiv Dhavan contributed 1 Re immediately after the contempt judgement was announced today. The Supreme Court headed by Justice Arun Mishra assembled today to read out the judgement with respect to the contempt of court over his two tweets against the judiciary. The apex court in its order said that in case of failure to deposit the fine, Prashant Bhushan will have to undergo a sentence for three months and will also be debarred from practice for three months. The bench, in its order, took note that Bhushan chose not to apologise or express regret despite repeated opportunities. It pulled him up for rather making statements in the press about the contempt proceedings and leaking his statements even before they were considered by the court. On August 25, the top court was urged by senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan to show "judicial statesmanship" and not make Bhushan a "martyr" by punishing him for contempt over his tweets criticising the judiciary, after the activist-lawyer rejected fresh suggestions from the court for an apology. The bench referring to Bhushan's refusal to apologize for his tweets said, "What is wrong in apologizing? Is this word so bad?" During the hearing, the bench also gave 30 minutes to Bhushan to think over his stand for not expressing regret in connection with the tweets but the lawyer refused to apologise.