CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Vs. CHANDRASWAMY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In view of the order dated 7/11/1996 passed in Criminal Appeal No. 2068/1996 arising out of SLP (Crl. ) No. 3337/96 which will continue to operate till disposal of the trial, no further order is required to be passed in this Special Leave Petition.

(2.) The Special Leave Petition is disposed of accordingly. Order dated 15/01/1998 in Special Leave Petition (Crl. ) Nos. 4421/95. issued to Editor, Printer and Publisher of Pioneer Newspaper - court was of the view that the unqualified apology tendered by the contemnors without making even Order dated 27/03/1997 in Suo Motu Contempt Petition (Crl. ) No. 57 of 1996. an attempt to plead any justification from the outset should be accepted accordingly, court accepted their unqualified apology coupled with the assurance as aforesaid - The notice is discharged - Update of order reported in 1997 (2 SCALE SP-13.

(3.) The contemnors are present in person. They have tendered an unqualified apology in writing making it clear through their counsel, Sh. Ram Jethmalani that neither of them pleads any justification. The contemnors, who are present in person, reiterate their unqualified apology and assure us that there would be no repetition of any such act in future by any of them. Sh. Ram Jethmalani, senior counsel for the contemnors assures us on behalf of the contemnors as well on his own behalf, on behalf of Sh. Arun jaitley and the other learned counsel appearing with him that after deliberations with the contemnors over a long duration, they are fully satisfied that both the contemnors understand the gravity of the act and are genuinely repentant for their conduct and that they are satisfied about the genuineness of their assurance to ensure avoidance of any such repetition in future. We have administered a stern warning to the contemnors. In these circumstances, we are inclined to the view that the unqualified apology tendered by the contemnors without making even an attempt to plead any justification from the outset should be accepted. Accordingly, we accept their unqualified apology coupled with the assurance as aforesaid. The notice is discharged.