It was a day of apology in the Supreme Court with two prominent public figures-- advocate Prashant Bhushan and retired army chief Gen V K Singh-- regretting their remarks against judges which was accepted by the court saying "repentence is a tool which condons all sort of misdemeanour".
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.
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63-year-old Singh withdrew his remarks after he was served contempt notice for raising questions on the court's verdict on his age row controversy.
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".
The apex court had on October 1 issued notice to Singh after taking suo motu cognisance of his remarks against its order on his age row published on September 22, saying it prima facie amounts to "scandalising" and undermining the authority of the court.
