'Pay Re 1 As Fine Or Go To Jail For 3 Months': SC Punishes Prashant Bhushan For Committing Contempt

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra and comprising Justices B R Gavai and Krishna Murari pronounced the degree of punishment in its verdict against Bhushan.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday sentence 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 against him. As per initial reports, the apex court in its order said that in case of failure to deposit the fine, Prashant Bhushan will have to undergo sentence for three months and will also be debarred from practise for three months. The quantum of punishment came days after the apex court convicted the note lawyer-activist for contempt of court over his two tweets against the judiciary. Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra assembled today to read out the judgement with respect to the sentencing of lawyer. On August 25, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, representing Bhushan, had requested the top court to show "judicial statesmanship" and not make Bhushan a "martyr" by punishing him for contempt over his tweets. 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. Attorney General K.K. Venugopal submitted before the bench that his suggestion would be to close the matter without punishing Bhushan. A contemnor can be punished with simple imprisonment of up to 6 months or with a fine of up to Rs 2,000 or with both. On August 14, the top court held Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt for his derogatory tweets against the judiciary. Justice Mishra observed that for how long the system would suffer this. The bench noted that judges are condemned and their families are humiliated. "They cannot even speak," noted the bench. Dhavan had also argued that the apex court could say in the judgment that it did not agree with Bhushan. Dhavan also insisted that nobody can be forced to tender an apology in a contempt proceeding and added that the Harley Davidson remark made by Bhushan was hardly a criticism. The AG insisted that the top court should forgive Bhushan and take a compassionate view on the matter. The bench noted that a person should realise his mistake and cited that it gave time to Bhushan, but he refused to apologize.