SC takes up 11-year-old case against activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 24

Two days after issuing a contempt notice to activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan for his tweets allegedly scandalising the judiciary, the Supreme Court has decided to resume hearing in another contempt of court case against him initiated in 2009.

The top court had issued contempt notices to Bhushan and Tarun Tejpal of Tehelka for allegedly casting aspersions on some sitting and former judges in an interview to the news magazine. Tejpal was the editor of the magazine at the relevant time. The last time the case was heard in May 2012.

A Bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra made it clear that it wanted to hear the matter, even as senior advocates appearing in the case sought time to prepare themselves to assist the court.

On behalf of Prashant Bhushan, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan said this case had been pending for a decay and he needed time to prepare himself.

“If we have waited for nine years, then I don’t understand what the urgency is,” said senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Tejpal.

Former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan, who had filed an intervention application in the case said he was not comfortable with virtual court hearings and urged the court to take it up after resumption of physical court hearings.

The court told him he was too old and should not argue this case.

The Bench adjourned to case to August 4 to enable lawyers to prepare themselves to assist it properly. The court will not conclude the matter in a hurry, Justice Mishra assured the senior advocates.

The Supreme Court had on Wednesday issued notices to Prashant Bhushan and Twitter Inc for his tweets allegedly scandalising the judiciary through his tweets and posted it for hearing on August 5.