The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued contempt notices to a petitioner, their Advocate-on-Record, and the drafting lawyer for making scandalous allegations against a sitting judge of the Telangana High Court.
Taking serious note of the language used in the petition, the bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai refused to accept the lawyer’s apology and attempt to withdraw the plea.
“You are inviting contempt against your client. Making allegations against a sitting judge of the High Court,” the CJI observed, warning that under settled law, lawyers who put their signatures on such petitions are equally liable for contempt.
“Before signing such a petition, is it not your duty as a responsible officer of the court to exercise caution?” the CJI asked, underlining that courts are duty-bound to protect judicial integrity.
“We cannot permit judges to be put in a box while lawyers and litigants feel free to make allegations,” the court remarked.
Citing precedent, the bench said that not only the litigant but the lawyers involved in drafting and filing such scandalous content may be held guilty of contempt.
The court dismissed the attempt to withdraw the petition, stating: “When we expressed displeasure at the language used, counsel sought to withdraw. We are not inclined to permit it. The same is dismissed.”
The court has now sought a response from all those involved on why contempt proceedings should not be initiated.
– Ends
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