Prashant Bhushan was found guilty of contempt by the top court earlier this month. (File)
Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan has said that he will "respectfully pay the fine" after the Supreme Court been fined him Re 1 for his tweets criticising the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde.
Mr Bhushan, 63, has been asked to pay the fine by September 15, failing which he will be sentenced to three months in jail or he cannot work as a lawyer for three years.
Earlier this month, the 63-year-old was found guilty of contempt by the top court, which sought an unconditional apology from the lawyer-activist. Mr Bhushan, however, refused to retract or apologise, maintaining that it would be contempt of his conscience and the court.
His lawyer has argued that that the court must and should take extreme criticism as its "shoulders are broad enough". Attorney General KK Venugopal has also argued against punishment. Maintaining that the judges cannot "go to press to defend themselves or explain," the court cited Mr Bhushan's high standing within the legal system. "Had it been someone else, it was easier to ignore," the court had said.
Here are the Highlights on Prashant Bhushan case:
Prashant Bhushan says "reserve right to file review plea" against judgement in contempt caseActivist lawyer Prashant Bhushan said on Monday that he will submit the token fine of Re 1 imposed by the Supreme Court in the contempt case for his tweets against the judiciary, but also indicated he would file a review plea against the order.
Mr Bhushan said he has the greatest respect for judiciary and the tweets were not intended to disrespect the apex court or the judiciary.
"I reserve my right to file review, I propose to submit and pay fine as directed by the court," Mr Bhushan said in a press conference.
"Supreme Court is final destination for those in need of justice. If Supreme Court is strong and unbiased, this means victory for the nation," said Prashant Bhushan.
"This case a watershed movement in freedom of speech. Truth shall prevail. Long live democracy," said Prashant Bhushan.
I will pay the fine, says Prashant Bhushan
"The Supreme Court has announced its verdict in the contempt case against me. it has held me in contempt of court. While I reserve my right to seek a review of the convition and the sentence. I propose to submit to this order. I will pay the fine," said Prashant Bhushan.
Prashant Bhushan Addresses Media After Supreme Court's 'Re 1 Fine' Order
"Let 'Re 1' Be National Movement": Reactions To Order On Prashant BhushanLawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan, held guilty of contempt for his tweets criticising Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and the Supreme Court, was today fined Re 1 by the top court. The 63-year-old has been asked to pay the fine by September 15, failing which he will face jail for three months and a ban from practicing for three years.
"Freedom of speech cannot be curtailed," said the Supreme Court while handing down the sentence, referring to "sane advice" from Attorney General KK Venugopal to the court and to Prashant Bhushan.
The judgment drew instant reactions from members of the legal fraternity and politicians, most of whom praised the top court for letting off the lawyer-activist with a "token punishment".
"Without commenting on the merits of the case, the court has shown maturity. It would have been better if he had been forgiven. Court could have given him warning also but this is the best scenario. But this is a symbolic punishment, the minimum prescribed in the law. Court wanted to show majesty of law is Supreme and some punishment had to be given once found guilty. The punishment of Re 1 is token punishment and the rest are default clauses," former Chief Justice of India Justice RM Lodha told NDTV.
"Not warranted": Former Law Minister on Supreme Court order on Prashant Bhushan
The Supreme Court on Monday punishing activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan was unwarranted, former Union Law Minister M Veerapa Moily said and felt that the case against him could have been referred to the Bar Council of India.
The senior Congress leader said that Attorney General K K Venugopal and many jurists and lawyers had urged the Supreme Court not to punish him.
Mr Moily expressed the view that judges should not take upon themselves to punish a person who makes allegations against them.
"It looks as if it was not warranted," he said on the Supreme Court imposing a token fine of one rupee against
Mr Bhushan as punishment in the contempt case against him.
"It's not in keeping with the question of natural justice.It's not in keeping with the high standards of judiciary," he said.
Read Entire Supreme Court Order On Prashant Bhushan SentencingLawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan was today fined Re 1 by the Supreme Court, two weeks after he was held guilty of contempt for his tweets against Chief Justice SA Bobde and the top court. He had refused to apologize for his remarks." itemprop="description
"My lawyer & senior colleague Rajiv Dhavan contributed 1 Re immediately after the contempt judgement today which I gratefully accepted," Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan tweeted.
Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan holding Re 1 coin. Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan holding Re 1 coin. He has been fined Re 1 by the top court in the contempt case for his tweets criticising Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and the Supreme Court.
"Freedom of speech cannot be curtailed," said the Supreme Court while handing down the sentence, referring to "sane advice" from Attorney General KK Venugopal to the court and to Prashant Bhushan.
The 63-year-old had refused to retract his comments or apologise, maintaining that it would be contempt of his conscience and the court. His lawyer has argued that that the court must and should take extreme criticism as its "shoulders are broad enough".
Prashant Bhushan has been asked to pay the fine by September 15, failing which he will be sentenced to three months in jail or he cannot work as a lawyer for three years.
Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan, held guilty of contempt for his tweets criticising the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and the Supreme Court, has been fined Re 1 by the top court.