Attorney General Files Contempt Case Against Prashant Bhushan For Criticising CBI Appointment; SC Seeks Reply

A Supreme Court bench comprising of Justices Arun Mishra and Naveen Sinha today (6 February 2019) asked activist and advocate Prashant Bhushan to reply within three weeks to contempt pleas against him submitted by the Attorney General K K Venugopal and the central government, reports Business Standard.

Bhushan has been accused of criticising the apex court over the selection of M Nageswara Rao as the interim director of the CBI.

The bench observed that it would also deliberate upon the larger question of whether lawyers or the general public can be allowed to criticise a matter which is sub-judice as that could lead to an effect on the public opinion.

The court noted that such criticism could also cause an interference in the process of justice.

“This issue required to be heard in length, notice issued,” the bench stated.

The next hearing of the matter has been scheduled for 7 March by the bench.