AP HC Initiates Contempt Action Against Abusive Social Media Posts Against Judges

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday issued suo moto contempt notices to 49 persons, including a Member of Parliament and a former Member of Legislative Assembly, observing that they made intimidating and abusive social media posts against judges.

Bapatla MP, Nandigam Suresh and former MLA Amanchi Krishna Mohan, both belonging to the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), are among those who were served the notices.

The 49 persons have been asked to appear in person or through Advocate on June 16.

The Court took the action after it received emails attaching the social media posts targeting judges. The Advocate General told the court that the comments tend to scandalize the institution.

The comments were made in the particular context of the order passed by the HC on May 22, ordering CBI probe into the police assault of a government doctor.

A bench comprising Chief Justice J K Maheshwari and Justice C Praveen Kumar noted that the comments attributed political motives to the judges. Some of the comments were highly abusive, intimidating and life threatening, the Court observed. The Court said that there appeared to be a larger conspiracy against the judges.

"The content in the video/clippings/postings also amount to contempt for trying to scandalise and lower the image of the Hon'ble Court and Hon'ble Judges", the Court observed.

Recently, the SC had sentenced three persons to three months imprisonment for contempt of court for circulating a letter with "scandalous and scurrilous" allegations against sitting judges.

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