Prashant Bhushan refuses to apologize to Supreme Court in contempt of court case

 Senior Indian advocate Prashant Bhushan has refused to seek an unconditional apology from the Supreme Court in a contempt of court case. "My statements were in good faith and if I apologize, it would be an insult to my conscience and to the institution I believe in the most," he said. On Monday, Prashant Bhushan filed his reply in the Supreme Court in which he wrote: It can be maintained, not an authoritarian system. 'In his reply, he wrote:' That is why we have to speak when things seem to go astray. It is the sense of responsibility given by the court that gives us this special duty. It may be recalled that a prominent Indian lawyer was found guilty by the Supreme Court of contempt of court for his 'rebellious statements' and was given till August 24 to reconsider his statements and seek an unconditional apology.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ordered Prashant Bhushan to seek an unconditional pardon, otherwise, Bhushan could face up to six months in jail or a fine of Rs 2,000 or both. However, during the hearing, Prashant Bhushan made it clear that "he will not apologize at all and is ready to face any punishment that the court will give him." Prashant Bhushan, 63, has been found guilty of contempt of court for two of his tweets and the Supreme Court believes that "Bhushan's tweets have shaken the dignity of the Supreme Court." Bhushan had commented on the Chief Justice in his tweets on June 2, 2020. He also criticized some other judges.

Bhushan also told the court that "what I wrote in my tweet is a fact and I have faith in it, which I have the right to express through the constitution and democracy of the country." On Thursday, the apex court had said that if Bhushan apologized on Monday, the court would hear the matter again on Tuesday.  But it is not yet clear what further action the court will take if Prashant Bhushan does not apologize. Whatever the outcome of the case, the case of Prashant Bhushan is also being examined by the Supreme Court of India. Many prominent lawyers, former Supreme Court judges, and well-known journalists who write editorials believe that the Supreme Court has taken an excessive stance in this matter. More than 2,400 Indian lawyers have written an online petition in favor of Prashant Bhushan, saying that "locking up lawyers means undermining the independence and power of the judiciary." There is also a section of the society against Prashant Bhushan who is of the opinion that no lawyer is above the law and the Supreme Court has taken appropriate action against Mr. Bhushan.