P&H HC Imposes ₹25K Cost On 'Contemptous Plea' Against Judicial Officers, Says Court's Dignity Isn't So Brittle To Be Shattered By Stones Thrown By 'Mad Man'

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has imposed a cost of Rs. 25,000 on a litigant who filed a "contemptuous" plea seeking the filing of an FIR against judicial officers and lawyers allegedly for grabbing a public property.The petitioner, who claimed to be a lawyer, was appearing in person and alleged that four judicial officers misused their office to grab public property.Justice N.S. Shekhawat said, "The present petitioner had attempted an arrogant and contemptuous attitude, but of course, the dignity of the Court is not so brittle as to shatter by a stone thrown by a madman. This Court has no hesitation to conclude that the present petitioner has been regular, persistent and guilty of undermining the dignity of the Court and his action is motivated, deliberate and designed."Observing that the language used by the petitioner in the case scandalized the Court and is apparently contempt of Court, the Court opined that it is not inclined to initiate contempt of Court proceedings against the petitioner with the hope that he will conduct himself in future as a disciplined member of the legal fraternity.The Court relying on Sakiri Vasu Vs. State of U.P. and others, [2008 AIR Supreme Court 907] pointed out that the plea filed for registration of FIR under Section 482 CrPC is also not maintainable when so many alternative remedies are already available in the statute.On the allegation of property grabbing, the Court said that "in the entire petition, the petitioner has failed to mention even a single property."Perusing the petition the bench said that, "the petitioner has made veiled, intemperate and frivolous allegations against several judicial officers."Justice Shekhawat highlighted that the tendency of maligning the reputation of the judicial officer by the disgruntled elements, who failed to secure an order which they desire is on the increase and it is high time that serious note is taken of the same. No litigant can be given the permission to browbeat the Court. "Merely because the petitioner has chosen to appear in person, it does not give him a licence to indulge in making such aspersions as he has the tendency to scandalize the Court in relation to judicial matters," the judge added.The Court warned the petitioner not to file such frivolous petitions before any Court and dismissed the plea with costs of Rs. 25,000.Mr. Suresh Kumar, petitioner in person.Mr. Rajinder Kumar Banku, DAG, Haryana.Mr. Jasdev Singh Mehndiratta, Advocate as Amicus CuriaeTitle: Suresh Kumar v. State of Haryana and othersClick here to read/download the order

P&H HC Imposes ₹25K Cost On 'Contemptous Plea' Against Judicial Officers, Says Court's Dignity Isn't So Brittle To Be Shattered By Stones Thrown By 'Mad Man'

Aiman J. Chishti

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