Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan on Thursday (Mar 7) refused to tender unconditional apology in the contempt plea filed against him by AG KK Venugopal and Centre against Bhushan for his tweets allegedly criticising Supreme Court on appointment of M Nageswara Rao as interim CBI Director.

During the course of hearing today, Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave informed the bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Navin Sinha that he wanted to tender unconditional apologies on behalf of Bhushan.

To this, the bench asked Bhushan to tender unconditional apology but he denied.

The bench taking note of it fixed the matter for next hearing to April 3 and said that it will decide upon the recalling application as well as merit and effect of recusal application.

Earlier during the proceedings, Dave filed an application seeking recusal of Justice Mishra.

To which the bench asked Dave that already there were three pleas seeking recusal have been filed that he has filed fourth plea and dismissed his plea.

Dave interjected court and said this was terrorism.

The bench said: “You are raising several judgment and that will be considered all in order.”

AG KK Venugopal said: “At the time of argument of writ petition, no objection was raised by Bhushan. Even at the time of contempt notice and filing recalling the order no objection raised. Even I am not willing any punishment, but this has to be decided. If he tender mistake and admit mistake, I will withdraw my application for contempt.”

Bhushan submitted some writing to AG seeking sorry for his mistake.

The bench said: “We will decide the legal issues though you willing to withdraw contempt in him.”

—India Legal Bureau