SC notice to lawyer Prashant Bhushan on contempt plea by Venugopal and Centre

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a response from activist and lawyer Prashant Bhushan on contempt pleas by Attorney General K.K. Venugopal and the Centre for his tweets allegedly criticising the court on the appointment of M. Nageswara Rao as interim CBI director.

Bhushan has been given three weeks to reply.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Naveen Sinha said it would deal with the larger question of whether lawyers or any other person can criticise the court in a sub judice matter, which would lead to influencing public opinion.

The bench added that criticising the court may also lead to interference in the course of justice.

The bench listed the matter for further hearing on March 7.