Punjab & Haryana High Court Issues Contempt Notice To Advocate For Interrupting It While Dictating Order

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a show cause notice for criminal contempt against an advocate who disrupted court proceedings during a virtual hearing and openly questioned the court's views while the order was being dictated.

The incident took place during the hearing of an appeal where arguments had already been concluded and noted for the purpose of dictating the order in open court. At that stage, Sunil Kumar Mukhi, appearing on behalf of the appellant through video conferencing, began interrupting the proceedings.

Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi and Justice Deepak Manchanda noted in the order, “During the hearing of the present appeal, arguments were heard and even noted out so as to dictate the order in the open Court. While Court was dictating the order, Mr. Sunil Kumar Mukhi, Advocate, who is appearing on behalf of the appellant through virtual mode started disrupting proceeding and to prevent the court from dictating the order and stated the view being taken by the Court is not correct.”

He started making comments that injustice is being done to his client. Even, the Court was threatened that he will file a review. The conduct of the counsel is such that it was prima facie interfering in the judicial process, added the Court.

The bench said, This all happened in the open Court though, Mr. Sunil Kumar Mukhi, Advocate was appearing through virtual hearing. Even the counsel appearing on behalf of respondents witnessed the same and requested the Court to switch off the virtual hearing facility of the appellant.

Keeping in view the conduct of the lawyer, “as he was crossing the limits to maintain the decorum of Court”, the Court issued the notice let notice be issued him “as to why, the proceedings under Section 2(c) of The Contempt of Court Act, 1971 should not be initiated against him for intentionally and willfully making the allegations upon the Court so as to lower the authority of the Court and also to interfere with the due course of the judicial proceedings.”

Asking the lawyer to appear before the Court in person the case was listed for May 5.

Title: VINOD KUMAR VS. STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS

Present: Mr. Sunil Kumar Mukhi, Advocate for the appellant (joined through VC)

Mr. Varun Gupta, DAG, Haryana.

Mr. S.S.Dalal, Advocate for applicant-respondents No.4 to 6 in CM-2741-LPA-20

Click here to read order