[CAT contempt case] "We are not like Lords of 12th century England:" Supreme Court asks lawyer Mehmood Pracha to apologise and move on

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked Advocate Mehmood Pracha to tender an unconditional apology in a case in which Pracha had been held guilty of contempt of court by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)..A Bench of Justices KM Joseph and Ravindra Bhat maintained that the suggestion was being given by the Court considering Pracha "is a lawyer and he has to move on."."What we are looking at is, there is not previous history to it. On condition that Mr Pracha will file an unconditional apology before the tribunal, we will consider setting aside the order and whole thing goes. He is a lawyer and he will move on. All of us commit mistakes but the idea is that one makes amends at the earliest," said Justice Joseph. .Pracha maintained that since he has committed no wrong, he will not apologise. The Court clarified that it was not compelling him to do anything and that the judges of the Court are not "12 century lords of England. "We are not like lords here in the 12th century England. That is not the idea you see ! We don't (want to) put any condition. It should be unconditional. This will serve your interest and also the dignity of the tribunal. Everyone commits mistakes. The whole idea is at some point you say sorry.".However, the bench was quick to add that the court was "not compelling him to apologise."."We cannot compel you to say a apology this can cut it short. You can think about it. Don't throw it out before contemplation," said the Bench..When Pracha said that he had contempt of court case against him only because he was defending the "honour of the Supreme Court", the bench said, "You could have brought it separately here in this court. Two wrongs cannot make a right. The Court then proceeded to adjourn the matter while asking Pracha to consider Court's suggestion to apologise. "We cannot hear you today. We are listing this after a month on a non miscellaneous day," the Court said. .The court however refused to stay the order against Pracha..In September last year, CAT had held Pracha guilty of its contempt but let him off with a "severe warning"..The principal bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) took suo motu cognizance of the conduct of Pracha during the hearing of a case of Indian Forest Service officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi who was on deputation at AIIMS.Chaturvedi had filed different applications with regard to recording of his Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs), it said."From the various developments that took in this case, what we gather is that the attempt was more to add to the personality of the applicant and his counsel i.e., the respondent herein, and for that purpose, the tribunal became easy target," the CAT had said in its order.The CAT while holding Pracha guilty of contempt had not imposed any punishment but let him off with a warning..[Read live account].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.