SC lists 2009 contempt case against Prashant Bhushan for September 10

A three-member Supreme Court bench on Tuesday ordered that a contempt of court case against lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan from 2009 be heard by a new bench on September 10.

The three-member bench, led by Justice Arun Mishra and comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Krishna Murari, had been hearing the case, relating to an interview given by Bhushan to a news magazine in 2009.

Both Bhushan and journalist Tarun Tejpal, who was editor of the magazine, were accused of contempt of court for comments on corruption among judges. The Supreme Court had in November 2009 issued a contempt notice to Bhushan and Tejpal for allegedly casting aspersions on some sitting and former top court judges.

During hearing of the matter on Tuesday, Rajeev Dhawan, appearing for Bhushan, had sought that cases relating to corruption claims against judges be examined by a Constitution bench.

Justice Mishra, who is retiring on September 2, noted, "I am short of time. I am demitting office. This requires detailed hearing of four to five hours."

The bench passed orders, requesting Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde to place the case before an "appropriate bench".

On August 4, the Supreme Court had made clear to Bhushan and Tejpal that it would hear the case against them, if it does not accept their “explanation" or "apology” in the matter.

The Supreme Court had on August 4 said that the court has not received the explanation/apology submitted by Bhushan and Tejpal so far.

Bhushan had been convicted by the same bench for contempt of court over some tweets.