In Prashant Bhushan Contempt Case, Top Court Sentencing Today

Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan, held guilty of contempt for his tweets criticising the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and the Supreme Court, is expected to receive his sentence today. The 63-year-old has 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.