Bar Council Of Maharashtra & Goa Passes Resolution Supporting Contempt Verdict Against Prashant Bhushan

The resolution passed by the Council which represents a total of 1.75 lakh lawyers combined in the States of Maharashtra and Goa has been signed by Chairman Subhash Ghatge, it states-

"We have gone through the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court of India in Re: Prashant Bhushan. We have also through the newspaper reports about the letters and resolutions signed by different lawyers against the Honourable Supreme Court of India.

It is unfortunate that when political ends of lawyers are not served by a decision of the Court, they vilify the Court by making scandalizing remarks. The Supreme Court of India as well as the judges are subject to both scurrilous language, malicious attacks and scandalizing remarks. Legitimate criticism of both judgments and the functioning of the institution has always existed however when the system miscalculated and actuated by malice, it is the authority of the Court which is undermined."

Moreover, it is also stated in the resolution that if the judiciary is to perform its duties and functions effectively, it is essential to protect the dignity and authority of the Courts. Calling the likes of Prashant Bhushan 'institutional disruptors', the resolution states-

"The actions of these institutional disruptors through name calling and usage of certain phrases such as 'Supreme Court has destroyed democracy', the 'Supreme Court is killing the Constitution' have the tendency to destroy the fort of the public in the judiciary.

We are in total agreement with steps taken by the Justice delivery System of India. We unanimously state that the efforts of pressurizing Hon'ble Judges, by making reckless statements are in total derogation of the Constitution of India. The trend to malign Supreme Court is dangerous & must be dealt with Iron hand.

Anyone who maligns the Supreme Court of India must be dealt as per law. We repose confidence in the entire Judicial System and we condemn the efforts to pressurize the judiciary."

The said resolution has been forwarded to the Chief Justice of India, Chief Justice of Bombay High Court and Chairman of Bar Council of India.

On August 14, the Supreme Court held Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt for tweeting against the judiciary. One tweet was in reference to a picture of CJI Bobde seated on a Harley Davidson bike. It was alleged that the CJI was enjoying expensive bike rides while keeping the Supreme Court under lockdown.

Another tweet alleged that the Supreme Court contributed to the destruction of democracy in the last six years, and the last 4 CJIs played a particular role in that.

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