New Delhi, Aug 17 (TIWN) The Supreme Court on Monday framed a larger question during the hearing of the 2009 contempt case against advocate Prashant Bhushan. It asked when could corruption allegations against the judges be made public?

A bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, B R Gavai and Krishna Murari posed the following questions -under what circumstances, public statements in connection with corruption of judges can be made, and what procedure should be adopted if such statements of corruption were made in public against sitting as well as retired judges?

In 2009, Bhushan, in an interview to Tehleka magazine alleged that at least half of the last 16 Chief Justices of India were corrupt.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing journalist Tarun Tejpal, sought a quietus to the case. Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, representing Prashant Bhushan, also agreed on closure on the case, but argued that one cannot go to the press, is a bad decision and needs a review.

The bench noted that putting a quietus is not the issue and cited the questions. “We want to hear, because if the questions are left then it will not be better for later on”, noted the bench.

Dhavan contended that questions are meaningful, and they should be considered by a larger bench. Justice Mishra replied that this aspect would also be considered. The top court adjourned the matter till August 24.