On Monday, in a pointed reminder that courtroom sanctity cannot be compromised under any circumstance, the Allahabad High Court initiated contempt proceedings against a Pairokar who was found secretly recording a bail hearing on his mobile device. Justice Krishan Pahal described the conduct as “a serious interference with the administration of justice” and prima facie criminal contempt, prompting immediate judicial action.
The case arose during the hearing of a bail application filed by accused Ravendra Kumar Dhobi. While arguments were underway, the Court observed that Amit Kumar, the Pairokar for the applicant, was recording the proceedings without permission. Upon questioning, he admitted to making the video recording inside the courtroom.
The Court heard counsel for the applicant, the High Court Legal Services Committee, and the State. However, the issue of unauthorised recording surfaced independently during the course of submissions, leaving no scope for dispute regarding Pairokar’s conduct. His admission formed the basis for the Court’s immediate consideration of contempt.
Justice Krishan Pahal observed that “The said act of Amit… amounts to contempt of Court. This act constitutes a serious interference with the administration of justice and a prima facie case of criminal contempt under the Contempt of Courts Act.” The Court further recorded that it was “satisfied that the contempt is of such a nature that it substantially interferes with the due course of justice.”
Issuing a show-cause notice returnable on 18 December 2025, the Court directed Amit Kumar to explain “why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for his act of video recording the court proceedings without authorization.” Recognising the need for further adjudication by a separate forum, Justice Krishan Pahal ordered that the matter be listed before an appropriate Bench, clarifying “not before me,” and directed the registry to obtain a nomination from the Chief Justice or the Senior Judge.
Case Title: Ravendra Kumar Dhobi Vs. State Of U.P. and Ors.
Case No.: Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. - 27453 Of 2025
Coram: Hon’ble Justice Manoj Misra, Hon’ble Justice Ujjal Bhuyan
Advocate for the Applicants: Advs. Brij Gopal Singh, Brij Raj Singh, Saransh Singh
Advocate for the Opposite Party: G.A. Pooja Mishra
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