Supreme Court reserves verdict on quantum of sentence against Prashant Bhushan
New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court reserved its decision on the quantum of punishment against senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan who has been convicted for his two tweets of criminal contempt.
Attorney General K K Venugopal reiterated his appeal to the supreme court to take a "compassionate view" and pardon Prashanth Bhushan. The court, however, said the lawyer has not yet apologised and has also made disparaging comments in his defence affidavit. Last week Venugopal had also urged the top court to spare Bhushan from any punitive action.
A tri-judge bench led by Justice Arun Mishra found two Bhushan tweets of "serious contempt of court" on August 14, and declared him guilty of criminal contempt. Bhushan had declined to apologise for his tweets, saying that they were not made in "absence mindedness" and that they were nothing more than a small effort to discharge what he called his "highest duty at this point in history"
Venugopal urged a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra to not punish Bhushan but “warn” him if necessary and let him go. To this, Justice Mishra replied, “But if Bhushan ji is not having any inkling that he has done anything wrong, what effect do you think such an advise will serve?” He further said the court had given Bhushan time but he refused to apologise.
The bench took the AG through the affidavit filed by Bhushan in his defence, saying that he made disparaging remarks against the top court here as well. “Prashant Bhushan says SC has collapsed, is it not objectionable?” the bench asked the AG.
To this, AG Venugopal said, “I think he (Bhushan) should withdraw it in entirety and express regret.” He also said the court should let him off if he apologises.
The bench then sought views of senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, counsel for Bhushan, on punishment to be awarded in the contempt case. Dhavan said judgment convicting Bhushan should be recalled, no sentence be imposed on him.
“Please do not make Prashant Bhushan a martyr. After Babri Masjid was demolished, there were crowds to welcome Kalyan Singh. So don’t make him a martyr,” he said.
“Not only the Bhushan contempt case be closed, the controversy should be put to end. SC should give statesman like message,” he added.
To this, Justice Mishra replied, “I am not criticising Mr Bhushan, There is a difference between a court officer and a politician if you are going to press for everything, you are identifying with he former more.”
Meanwhile, a new Supreme Court bench will hear the 2009 contempt case against Bhushan from next month as Justice Arun Mishra retires in the first week of September. The bench headed by Justice Mishra said the matter will be listed before an appropriate bench on September 10 as they are ‘short of time’.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
