The Supreme Court on Monday rejected lawyer Prashant Bhushan’s arguments that truth was a defence against contempt and that what he had stated was his bona fide beliefs made in public interest.

“We are of the view that, in the circumstances, the defence taken cannot be said to be either in the public interest or bona fide one. On the contrary, it is more derogatory to the reputation of this court and would amount to further scandalising and bringing administration of justice in disrepute, in which the common citizen of this country has faith and approaches this court as a last resort for getting justice,” the three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said.

“He has also referred to various matters pending adjudication before this court and also adversely commented on the functioning of this court. He has raised eyebrows on the Ayodhya verdict and blamed this court. After going through the various averments made in the affidavit in reply for supporting truth as defence, we are of the considered view that the defence taken is neither in the public interest nor bona fide one.”