Recently, the Delhi High Court found an advocate guilty of criminal contempt, sentencing him to four months in jail for making disparaging comments about the judiciary, deemed “contemptuous” and harmful to the dignity of the Courts.
The lawyer had directed personal remarks at judicial officers, High Court judges, and police personnel. His conduct included filing 30-40 complaints against various officials and making contemptuous comments during virtual proceedings. The lawyer showed no remorse, apology, or respect for the judicial system, with his actions seen as part of a campaign to malign the courts.
The bench, comprising Justices Pratibha M. Singh and Amit Sharma, underscored the serious nature of the lawyer’s actions, highlighting that he had no respect for the judiciary and had actively pursued a "vilification campaign" against judges and the court system. The court emphasized that as an advocate, the contemnor’s conduct was especially damaging, showing a blatant disregard for judicial decorum and authority. The bench observed that the advocate’s behaviour, including his comments in the court’s virtual chat box, was not only aimed at settling personal grievances but also reflected a broader intent to undermine public trust in the judiciary.
The Court’s decision to deny suspension of the sentence took into account the “brazen nature’ of the lawyer’s comments and actions, indicating that they constituted an attack on the legal system itself. Additionally, the bench stressed that such derogatory language and behaviour could not be condoned or overlooked, as it would otherwise set a dangerous precedent. The Court sentenced the Lawyer to four months in Jail and also imposed a fine of ₹2,000. The Court directed the police to take him into custody and send him to jail.
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