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The Delhi High Court has sentenced a lawyer to four months in prison for criminal contempt, after he was found guilty of making offensive remarks about judges and repeatedly filing baseless complaints against them and police officers.
A division bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Amit Sharma passed the order on November 6, 2024 and observed that the lawyer displayed no remorse or apology for his actions, with his behaviour clearly intended to scandalise and tarnish the reputation of the judiciary. The Court also observed that the filing of 30 to 40 complaints by the contemnor against judicial officers, police officers, and judges of this Court clearly demonstrated his intent to scandalise the Court and undermine its dignity and authority. Despite being heard on the last few occasions, the contemnor failed to express any remorse or apology for his conduct. The Court further noted that all the allegations made by the contemnor had been appropriately addressed by various magistrates, session and district judges, as well as by the Hon'ble Judges of this Court. "Such matters should not have been the subject of frivolous and baseless complaints," the court noted. Additionally, in his written response to the show-cause notice issued by the Court, the manner in which the contemnor referred to the learned Single Judge and the various allegations he made were deemed completely unacceptable and gross, said the court. The Court further stated that at this stage, the contemnor requested a suspension of the sentence for a brief period, to allow him time to approach the Supreme Court regarding the order passed today. However, the court mentioned that in light of the contemnor's ongoing vilification campaign against the judiciary in general, and several judges in particular, as well as the brazen manner in which he made submissions during the contempt proceedings, the Court found no reason to suspend the order. The Court also noted that the contemnor had been given repeated opportunities to be represented by learned counsel in previous hearings, but he chose to argue the matter in person. Nevertheless, the Court directed that should the contemnor wish to be assisted by counsel, the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee (DHCLSC) would provide him with legal assistance. (ANI)
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