A court headed by Judge Arun Mishra will deliver its verdict against Bhushan, who faces a simple prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of up to Rs 2,000 or both as punishment under the Contempt of Court Act.
On August 25, the lead counsel urged the higher court Rajeev Dhavan to show “judicial political skill” and not make Bhushan a “martyr” by punishing him in contempt for his tweets criticizing the judiciary, after the activist-lawyer rejected the court’s new suggestions for an apology.
While the high court reserved its verdict on the sentence to be handed down to Bhushan, Judge Arun Mishra, who was presiding over a three-judge tribunal, at the end of the nearly three-hour hearing asked why he could not apologize. and what was wrong with using this word.
Judge Mishra will resign from his post on September 2.
On August 14, the high court found Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt for his two derogatory tweets against the judiciary, saying that they cannot be said to be a fair criticism of the functioning of the judiciary made in the public interest.
On August 25, Dhavan, representing Bhushan, had suggested that the higher court recall the August 14 verdict that convicted him in contempt of court and not impose any sentence, and urged him not only to close the case but also to put an end to the controversy.
Attorney General KK Venugopal asked the court to pardon Bhushan with a message that he should not repeat this act.
The court, also composed of judges BR Gavai and Krishna Murari, had given Bhushan 30 minutes to “think” about withdrawing his statements made in court and said he made “disparaging remarks against the institution and the judges.”
Venugopal had said that Bhushan, who has refused to offer an unconditional apology for the tweets, should withdraw all statements and express regret.
The bank on August 20 had given Bhushan until Monday to reconsider his “defiant statement” and his tender “unconditional apology” for the dismissive tweets.
Referring to Bhushan’s statements and his refusal to apologize, Venugopal had been told by the bank that everyone made mistakes but should be accepted, but here Bhushan was not willing to accept that.
Dhavan had argued that reprimanding Bhushan as “don’t do it again”, as suggested by the attorney general, would not be correct and instead there should be a statesman message like “Mr. Bhushan, although we disagree on many things , but from next time you should be more responsible. ”
Bhushan in his statement had refused to offer an apology to the Supreme Court for his two tweets against the judiciary, saying that what he expressed represented his genuine faith that he continued to uphold.
On video: Prashant Bhushan contempt case: Supreme Court will pronounce sentence amount on August 31
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