The Kerala High Court has closed the suo motu criminal contempt proceedings initiated against an Ettumanoor-based lawyer after he submitted an affidavit tendering an unconditional apology.
The proceedings stemmed from an incident on February 2, 2023, when the advocate allegedly disrupted the Judicial First Class Magistrate-I, Ettumanoor, by shouting in open court, obstructing proceedings, and berating the judge after his bail applications were dismissed.
In his affidavit, the advocate expressed regret, stating:
“I understand that my behaviour before the Hon’ble Court on 02.02.2023 … seems to be perceived as showing indignation and disrespect, which I never intended. … Being an officer of the court, I realise that I hold absolute responsibility to uphold the dignity of the judicial institution. Hence, I hereby tender an unconditional apology, and I swear that I shall uphold the sanctity and dignity of this institution all along.”
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar noted that under Rule 14(a) of the Contempt of Courts (High Court of Kerala) Rules, 1988, the Court may accept an unconditional apology if the contemnor admits to the misconduct.
“We are satisfied that the apology … is in tune with the requirement of Rule 14(a) … In that view of the matter, we accept the unconditional apology tendered by the respondent/contemnor and he is discharged,” the Bench observed.
Accordingly, the Court closed the contempt proceedings.
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