The judiciary seems to be in the eyeof the storm over the suo moto contemptproceedings against civil right lawyerPrashant Bhushan for his tweets.Such frivolousoff-the-cuff allegations need to bebrushed under the carpet as they are notintended to harm the sacrosanct image ofthe Supreme Court.Contemplating conviction and sentencingof the noted lawyer has not gone downwell with the legal luminary as well as withthe public at large given that of late mostjudgements are politically motivated.The same yardstick should
have beenapplied years back when five sittingjudges of the apex court held a pressconference against the CJI over the rostersystem as that would have set a precedentfor conviction. Let not the credibility ofthe judiciary be whittled down by biasedpunishment.The former Attorney Generalof India and eminent jurist Soli Sorabjeehas come in defence of the lawyer-activiststating that the court has overreacted.Good reason seems to have prevailed overthe SC overtures as the lawyer activist hasbeen given time to file his submissionsand it is hoped that in all probability thecase will be dropped in all fairness.Another feature which needs mentioningis that in all sections of public lifea sense of rigidity seems to be pervadingthe landscape of the country whereintolerance is the mantra and hate andprejudice rules the day.Let us seek the blessings of Lord Ganeshthis Chovoth for amicably resolvingthis thorny issue.EVERETTE ASSIS TELLES, Margao
