Prashant Bhushan refuses to apologise in SC for his 2 tweets against judiciary
PTI, Aug 24, 2020, 3:11 PM IST
New Delhi: Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan refused to offer an apology to the Supreme Court on Monday, August 24 for his two tweets against the judiciary saying what he expressed represented his bona fide belief which he continued to hold.
“An insincere apology would amount to the contempt of my conscience and of an institution,” Bhushan said in his supplementary statement filed in the suo motu contempt case against him by the top court.
“An apology for expression of his beliefs, conditional or unconditional, would be insincere,” he said.
Bhushan said that as an officer of court he believes as a duty to speak up when he believes there is a deviation from its sterling record.
“Therefore I expressed myself in good faith, not to malign the Supreme Court or any particular Chief Justice, but to offer constructive criticism so that the court can arrest any drift away from its long-standing role as a guardian of the Constitution and custodian of peoples’ rights,” he said.
He said, “My tweets represented this bona fide belief that I continue to hold. Public expression of these beliefs as I believe, in line with my higher obligations as a citizen and a loyal officer of this court. Therefore, an apology for expression of these beliefs, conditional or unconditional, would be insincere.”
Bhushan further said that an apology cannot be a mere incantation and an apology has to, as the court has itself put it, be sincerely made.
“This is especially so when I have made the statements bonafide and pleaded truths with full details, which have not been dealt with by the Court. If I retract a statement before this court that I otherwise believe to be true or offer an insincere apology that in my eyes would amount to the contempt of my conscience and of an institution that I hold in the highest esteem,” he said.
On August 20, the top court had granted time till August 24 to Bhushan to reconsider his “defiant statement” refusing to apologize and tender “unconditional apology” for contemptuous tweets against the judiciary and rejected his submission that quantum of punishment be decided by another bench.
The apex court, on August 14, had held Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt for his two derogatory tweets against the judiciary saying they cannot be said to be a fair criticism of the functioning of the judiciary made in the public interest.
He faces simple imprisonment of up to six months or with a fine of up to Rs 2,000 or with both as punishment.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
SC notice to Centre on plea to include ayurveda, yoga in Ayushman Bharat
BJP wants to snatch ”Jal, Jungle, Jameen” from tribals, alleges Rahul at Jharkhand poll rally
SC refuses to examine plea to appoint ‘yoga mitra’ instructors in schools
Maha Vikas Aghadi a vehicle sans wheels and brakes: PM Modi
LDF lodges complaint with EC, seeks probe into distribution of food kits in Wayanad
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Chikkaballapur: Yoga teacher feigns death by holding her breath, escapes murder bid
SC notice to Centre on plea to include ayurveda, yoga in Ayushman Bharat
BJP wants to snatch ”Jal, Jungle, Jameen” from tribals, alleges Rahul at Jharkhand poll rally
Leopard spotted near M’luru airport, Forest Dept begins search operation
Mangaluru International Airport achieves record passenger & air traffic movement in October 2024
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.