November 13, 2020 2:12:25 pm
One day after the Attorney General of India gave your consent To initiate criminal contempt of court proceedings against Kunal Kamra for his tweets in the Supreme Court, the comedian said Friday that he did not intend to retract his words or apologize for them. He said he expected the supreme court to “laugh a little” before holding him in contempt.
“I do not intend to retract my tweets or apologize for them. I think they speak for themselves, ”Kamra said in a statement addressed to the high court judges and the attorney general. “The Supreme Court of India has yet to declare anything about my tweets, but if they do, I hope they can have a laugh before holding them in contempt of court.”
“Everything I tweeted was from my point of view that the Supreme Court of India gave a partial decision in favor of a primetime speaker,” Kamra said. “My point of view has not changed because the silence of the Supreme Court of India on issues of the personal freedom of others cannot be left without criticism.”
“I wish to volunteer the time that would be allocated to my contempt hearing (20 hours minimum, if the Prashant Bhushan hearing is something to go through), to other issues and parties that have not had as much lucky and privileged as I am to jump the queue. May I suggest the demonetization petition, the petition challenging the revocation of J & K’s special status, the issue of the legality of the electoral bonds or myriad other matters that deserve more time and attention, ”Kamra added.
No lawyers, no apologies, no fine, no wasted space 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/B1U7dkVB1W
– Kunal Kamra (@ kunalkamra88) November 13, 2020
Attorney General KK Venugopal said Thursday that Kamra’s tweets “are not only in bad taste, but clearly cross the line between humor and contempt for the court.”
Kamra tweeted about the provisional bond granted to Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami in an alleged incitement to suicide. He had said: “Honor has left the building (Supreme Court) a long time ago” and “The Supreme Court of this Country is the most supreme joke in this Country.”
Explained | What is “contempt of court” and why does the attorney general have to consent to these procedures?
The Indian Express reported that AG’s office had received multiple application letters, seeking his go-ahead for criminal contempt proceedings against Kamra for the tweets.
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