Prashant Bhushan challenges SC judgment imposing Re. 1 fine on him for Contempt of Court

Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan today filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking review of the August 31 verdict in which he was found guilty in the contempt of Court case and the Court imposed on him a token punishment of Re. 1.

In the petition, Bhushan also prayed for an open court hearing of his review petition and for referring to a larger bench regarding the questions of constitutional importance pertaining to contempt of court.

Moreover, Bhushan has claimed that the judgement is per incuriam as no semblance of procedure has been followed by the Court.

He also stated that he was not furnished with a copy of the complaint filed against him in line with the Rules to Regulate Proceedings for Contempt of the Supreme Court, 1975. He has also alleged that he was prevented from filing an additional reply before the Court when his preliminary reply was found unsatisfactory.

Further according to his petition, he was denied an opportunity to lead evidence under Section 17(5) of Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, to substantiate averments in his preliminary reply.

After the 31 August verdict against him, Bhushan after paying the fine of Re. 1 said, "Just because I'm paying the fine does not mean I have accepted the verdict. We have filed a writ petition that there must be an appeal procedure created for conviction under contempt." He and his lawyer also filed a review petition on September 14.

The Supreme Court in the August 31 judgment had said that in case Bhushan defaults in payment of the fine, he will have to undergo an imprisonment of three months and would be debarred from practising for three months.

Bhushan had back then said that he has the greatest respect for the institution of the Supreme Court and judiciary and his tweets were never intended to disrespect the Apex Court.