Observing that if an apology is coming from heart then it (contempt proceedings) should not continue even for a second, the apex court dropped proceedings against the former general and refused to proceed against Bhushan who also apologised.
The apex court, however, said that such remarks should not be made as it affects the functioning of the institution.
A bench comprising justices R M Lodha and H L Gokhale noted that Singh, who was present in the court, "tendered the apology at the earliest opportunity without contesting it on merits".
"We accept the unqualified apology tendered by him and the contempt proceedings are accordingly dropped," the bench said and observed that "repentence is a tool which condons all sort of misdemeanour and if the apology is coming from heart and that too from a senior advocate like Jethmalani, it (contempt proceedings) should not continue even for a second".
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