1 day ago
Bombay High Court Fines Two Lawyers for Threatening Judge
Two lawyers argued with a judge in a courtroom in Arni.
The disagreement involved a warrant and how a case should proceed.
One lawyer allegedly threatened the judge, and another also made a threat.
The lawyers denied the allegations and later said they were sorry.
The Bombay High Court decided their conduct was contempt of court because it could pressure the judge while he was doing his job.
The court said lawyers should challenge decisions through proper channels and treat courts with respect.
It did not send the lawyers to prison.
Instead, each must pay Rs 52,000 in total.
The court also sent the matter to a lawyers’ disciplinary committee for further action.
The Bombay High Court found two advocates guilty of contempt over threats made to a judicial officer in Arni.
The incident followed a dispute about a non-bailable warrant and the handling of a criminal case on November 26, 2021.
The court said the advocates’ conduct was intended to pressure and terrorise the judge while he was working.
The advocates denied the allegations, described the incident as occurring during heated arguments, and later tendered apologies.
Each advocate was ordered to pay Rs 2,000 in fines and Rs 50,000 in costs, and the matter was referred to the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.
- Who
- Two advocates and a judicial officer at the Arni court; the Bombay High Court heard the contempt matter.
- What
- The High Court found the advocates guilty of contempt, imposed financial penalties and referred the matter for disciplinary action.
- Where
- The incident took place at the Arni court in Yavatmal district, Maharashtra.
- When
- The underlying incident occurred on November 26, 2021; the High Court decision was reported as being delivered on October 5.
- Why
- The court found that threats and courtroom conduct interfered with the administration of justice and were aimed at pressuring the judicial officer.
Court’s findings
Advocates’ response
What happened in court
Court’s findings
The High Court accepted that the advocates’ threats and conduct interfered with justice and were aimed at pressuring and terrorising the judicial officer.
Advocates’ response
The advocates denied the allegations and argued that the incident happened in the heat of arguments.
Apologies
Court’s findings
The court said the apologies were not offered at the earliest stage and did not automatically erase the contempt.
Advocates’ response
The advocates relied on the unconditional apologies they tendered later.
Key facts
- Penalty per advocate
- Rs 52,000 total
- Fine per advocate
- Rs 2,000, payable within two weeks
- Costs per advocate
- Rs 50,000 to the Public Welfare Account
- Incident date
- November 26, 2021
- Court hearing contempt case
- Bombay High Court
- Disciplinary referral
- Disciplinary Committee of the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa
- Prison sentence
- The High Court decided against imprisonment.
Quotes
Bombay High Court bench
The High Court bench recounting the threat made to the judicial officer.
“Apology is not a weapon of defence to purge the guilty of their offence, nor is it intended to operate as universal panacea, but it is intended to be evidence of real contriteness.”
indianexpress.com
“The due administration of law is of greater importance than the success or failure of any individual.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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