[Breaking] "Sardesai's Statement Not Serious As To Undermine The Majesty Of Supreme Court":AG Declines Consent To Initiate Contempt Against Rajdeep Sardesai

Attorney General KK Venugopal has rejected an application seeking his consent for the initiation of contempt proceedings against Consulting Editor of the India Today Group, Rajdeep Sardesai for his tweets in relation to Prashant Bhushan Contempt Case.

"Mr. Sardesai's statements are not of "so serious a nature as to undermine the majesty of the Supreme Court or lower its stature in the minds of the public. "The reputation of the SC as one of the great pillars of our democracy has been built assiduously over the last 70 years. Trifling remarks and mere passing of criticism though perhaps distasteful are unlikely to tarnish the image of the institution". AG Stated in the Order.

The petition for initiation of contempt proceedings was field by one Astha Khurana, claiming that Sardesai had willingly disrespected the Supreme Court and attempted to defame the institution through a series of statements made on Twitter.

Alleging that the well-known TV anchor intentionally made derogatory and scandalous statements, the petitioner had sought for initiation of contempt proceedings against him "for willful and deliberate disobedience of the orders/judgment" passed by the Supreme Court.

In support of her claims, the petitioner placed reliance on the most recent tweet from 31.08.2020, wherein Sardesai had remarked saying "Clearly, court looking to wriggle out of an embarrassment of its own making", in the context of the Re. 1 fine imposed on Prashant Bhushan in his contempt case.

Pointing out other comments by the senior journalist with regard to Prashant Bhushan's case, the petitioner contended that he "tried to spread feeling of no confidence on the Hon'ble Court amongst public and even stated the apology by the Hon'ble Court for its recent judgments."

Another tweet from 14.08.2020 was also highlighted wherein it is stated that Sardesai compared the judgment in Prashant Bhushan's case to Habeas Corpus petitions of those detained in Kashmir.

Further reference is made to a tweet which was posted on 23.07.2020 and allegedly cast aspersions on (Retd.) Justice Arun Mishra. Though the tweet was later deleted, elaborates the petition, it received "huge media publicity" and "questioned the fairness" of the Court.

Having further alluded to Sardesai's comments regarding former and present Judges, the petitioner submitted that these kind of statements pose a big threat to the Judiciary.

"Such attacks on this Hon'ble Court is not a freedom of speech and expression, but it has done purposely in order to defame and disrespect the image of the Court", contends the petitioner.

The Petitioner went on to submit that Sardesai is a "well known personally and various people take his statement as true and correct, therefore his statement on the top judicial body of his country indicates a threat to the society, which will lead to no trust on the judiciary and the justice will never deliver to the people because they will look at this Hon'ble Court with a questionable eyes and all the respect of this prestigious institution will vanish."

Furthermore, she added that his tweets are in the public domain and are accessible globally, which could lead to giving the Apex Court a poor image abroad as well.

When a criminal contempt petition is filed by a private individual, the consent of the Attorney General (or Solicitor General) is required before the Top Court can consider the matter. Therefore, as per Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act read with Rule 3 of Rules to Regulate Proceedings for Contempt of Supreme Court, an application has been placed before KK Venugopal.

Last month, the Attorney General had declined sanction for a petition seeking to initiate contempt against actor Swara Bhaskar over her remarks against Ayodhya judgment, observing that the comments did not amount to attack on the judiciary.

Download SG's Order Here

Read  AG 's letter