“The retention of the power to punish for contempt for acts of speech alone, which do not directly interfere with the administration of justice, has removed the last shred of accountability of the higher judiciary in the country.”

Indian author and public interest lawyer

Prashant Bhushan is an Indian author and public interest lawyer who appears before the Supreme Court of India. He became known through his role in the India Against Corruption movement, especially the Team Anna faction that backed Anna Hazare’s campaign for the Jan Lokpal Bill. After the split in India Against Corruption, he helped Team Anna take part in the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party. In 2015, he levelled public criticism at the party’s leadership, its internal workings, and what he saw as a departure from its original ideas and commitments. He is also a founder of Swaraj Abhiyan and Sambhaavnaa, an institute focused on public policy and politics.