New Delhi: Former Union Minister Arun Shourie, Advocate Prashant Bhushan and senior journalist N Ram on Saturday approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Contempt of Court Act, on the ground of 'freedom of speech and expression' as guaranteed by the Constitution.
In their plea, the petitioners submitted that the validity of section 2 (c) (i) of the Contempt of Court Act which criminalises publication of any matter could lower the authority of courts.
Contending that the 1971 act creates a 'chilling effect on freedom of speech', the petitioners pleaded to quash certain provisions.
The top court had recently invoked the provision to issue notice to Bhushan for his tweets against Chief Justice of India (CJI), SA Bobde and the apex court.N Ram and Arun Shourie have also had contempt proceedings against them in the past.(UNI)