Pulled up by SC for remarks,Prashant Bhushan apologises

As Bhushan showed up,the Bench also comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph told the counsel that his statements had deeply disturbed and hurt the court. Bhushan argued for NGO Common Cause in the coal block case.

We got very disturbed when it was brought to our notice and listed the case for today. We are not used to such statements from a counsel of your stature in a matter of such magnitude. We always say justice should not only be done but also seems to be done. You cannot imagine how much this hurt us, observed the Bench.

Justice Lodha further said that he followed the principle that it was the personality of the judges that was the ultimate guarantee of justice. If you comment on personality of judges,we dont know what to say. We are extremely disturbed by the fact that these statements were made by a lawyer like you outside the court when we are already in public gaze as far as this case is concerned, the Bench added.

Bhushan expressed his apology if the statements caused any hurt while pointing out that he only referred to the diffidence that anybody in judges position will have and that it had to be a superhuman to overcome this diffidence.

After Bhushan unconditionally apologised for his remarks,the Bench said it would not want to drag the issue any further since Bhushans words were enough assurance to it. The Bench also recorded Bhushans apology to foreclose the possibility of somebody filing a contempt petition against him for his statements.