New Delhi. The Delhi High Court has initiated criminal contempt proceedings against a lawyer for making “personal attacks” on judges and posting derogatory comments in the chat box of the online platform being used for ‘hybrid’ hearing earlier this month. . The court said the allegations and use of ‘intemperate’ language were deliberate and intended to ‘discredit’ the judicial proceedings, which amounts to contempt.
Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta said the reckless allegations made by the lawyer against several judicial officers as well as the comments made in the chat box available on a public platform could have ‘serious ramifications and mischief’ if not strictly curbed. There is apprehension.
The court said in the order passed on May 15, ‘It appears that the petitioner (lawyer), being aggrieved by the adverse orders passed by the judicial officers of the District Courts as well as this Court, has taken a step contrary to the law. He cannot be allowed to cross the Lakshman Rekha of making personal attacks on judges, which undermines the sanctity of the institution.
The court had earlier issued a show cause notice to the lawyer, who was aggrieved over the court allegedly not hearing his personal case. The court had asked him to explain why notice for contempt should not be issued and why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him. The court remarked in the recent order that the counsel’s reply was ‘again blatantly contemptuous’ and hardly contained any relevant explanation.
The order said, ‘In view of these facts and circumstances, the Registrar General is directed to produce the records of the judicial proceedings before the Hon’ble Acting Chief Justice for referring the case to the Hon’ble Division Bench dealing with ‘criminal contempt’ The court said, ‘The petitioner is also directed to appear before the concerned roaster bench on May 17.’
Tags: DELHI HIGH COURT
FIRST PUBLISHED: May 16, 2024, 23:54 IST