Delhi High Court Issues Show Cause Notice To Lawyer Who Posted 'Contemptuous Comments' In Chat Box Through VC

The Delhi High Court has issued a show cause notice to a lawyer asking why criminal contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for posting “patently contemptuous” comments in the chat box while appearing through virtual mode during proceedings.

Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta observed that the comments were placed in public domain with intention to scandalize the Court, were patently contemptuous and interfere with due course of judicial proceedings.

“Since the comments have been placed to undermine the authority of the Court in the perception of public at large, the same fall within the ambit of criminal contempt under Section 14 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971,” the court said.

A plea was moved by the lawyer challenging a trial court order which was dismissed on January 23 with a cost of Rs.25,000 to be deposited with the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee.

Though the review petition against the dismissal filed by the lawyer was listed on August 22, an application was filed by him in the interim.

On May 06, though the case was not listed for hearing, various comments were posted by the lawyer in the Chat Box during the hearings through VC. The same were placed on record by the Court staff.

The comments were- “hope this court will pass the order on merit without pressure of bar members review no 120/2024”, “Jo darta hai wo kabhi justice nhi kar payega”, “janboojhkar slow slow hearings karti hai”, “galat order pass karti hai, pandit ki tarah bhavishya vani karti hai...Without merit order pass karti hai”, “Mere cases na sunne ke liye bar members ka pressure.”

Justice Mendiratta said that the lawyer did not express any remorse on inquiry and stood by his comments.

“Petitioner is directed to show-cause as to why the notice for contempt be not issued and contempt proceedings initiated against him and referred to concerned Roster Bench/Division Bench for consideration in accordance with law. Reply, if any, be filed within three working days,” the court said.

Thereafter, the lawyer posted a comment in the chat box that he wanted to withdraw the Review Petition and sought to file an SLP before the Supreme Court.

However, the court said that the lawyer can always exercise the remedies available to him in accordance with law but the same did not give him liberty to make contemptuous allegations and undermine the authority of the Court.

The matter will now be heard on May 15.

Title: SANJEEV KUMAR v. STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS

Click here to read order