Supreme Court has found advocate Prashant Bhushan guilty for contempt of the court for his irrational tweet against SA Bobde, the Cheif Justice of India, and the Supreme Court.
Justice Arun Mishra directed the verdict along with other two members in his committee of three. The head justice said, “Bhushan was found to have committed “serious” contempt, and the hearing for punishment in the case will be held on August 20,” as quoted by News18.
Earlier Prashant Bhushan had commented on a picture of Chief Justice Bobde on social media where he asked a question to the CJI that why he was not wearing a helmet while driving his Harley Davidson but the Cheif Justice was not riding his at this time and his bike was on the stand.
In an affidavit submitted by Prashant Bhushan on August 2, Bhushan regretted asking why the Justice Bobde was not wearing a helmet since the bike was on the stand and apologised for it
“At the outset, I admit that I did not notice that the bike was on a stand and therefore wearing a helmet was not required. I, therefore, regret that part of my tweet. However, I stand by the remaining part of what I have stated in my tweet…” the lawyer said in his affidavit submitted on August 2.
The three-member committee of Justice Arun Mishara, Justice B R Gavai and Krishna Murari observed that Prashant’s action on social media could disrepute the administration of justice and can undermine the dignity of the Supreme Court.
The punishment of contempt of court can put Bhushan in jail for almost six months and including a heavy fine.
