SC leaves to new bench 2009 contempt case against Prashant Bhushan

In a reprieve for activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan, the Supreme Court on Tuesday left it to an appropriate bench to take a call on the 2009 contempt case against him over a magazine article alleging corruption in the judiciary.

A bench led by Justice Arun Mishra left it to an appropriate bench after Bhushan's counsel Dr Rajeev Dhavan said it involved questions over free speech which needed to be debated.

Mishra, who is retiring from service on September 3, said some of the questions raised by the defence required a longer hearing and could not be heard without pleadings . He also left it to the future bench to decide on the defence plea for the appointment of an amicus curiae.


I am short of time. I am demitting office. This needs detailed hearing of four to five hours," Justice Mishra said.