Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Bombay High Court Issues Contempt Notice Over Law Secretary Outburst
The Bombay High Court is examining how a senior Maharashtra law official behaved during a court hearing.
The official is Dilip S Ghumare, who was present while judges discussed fast-track court positions.
The court had information saying 179 new posts had been created.
The judges said Ghumare reacted angrily and allegedly blamed the court administration for not filling those posts.
They said he spoke loudly and aggressively in front of many people.
The judges believed this could make people lose respect for the court.
They issued him a contempt notice, which asks him to explain himself.
The court also said that saying sorry should not automatically end the matter.
A further hearing was scheduled for September 11.
The Bombay High Court issued a contempt notice to Maharashtra Law and Judiciary Department Secretary Dilip S Ghumare.
The notice concerns an alleged aggressive, high-pitched outburst during a packed courtroom hearing.
The court said Ghumare allegedly blamed the High Court administration for failing to fill 179 fast-track court posts.
Justices Ajey S Gadkari and Kamal R Khata described the conduct as outrageous, wholly unpardonable and an attempt to undermine the court’s authority.
The matter was posted for September 11 after the bench rejected the idea that an apology should automatically erase the alleged conduct.
- Who
- The Bombay High Court, Dilip S Ghumare, and a bench comprising Justices Ajey S Gadkari and Kamal R Khata.
- What
- The court issued a contempt notice over Ghumare’s alleged aggressive courtroom outburst.
- When
- The notice was reported on September 3, 2026, with the matter posted for September 11.
- Where
- During a packed hearing before the Bombay High Court in Mumbai.
- Why
- The bench said the alleged outburst scandalised the court and undermined or lowered its authority.
High Court’s position
Reported explanation and response
Cause of the dispute
High Court’s position
The bench said Ghumare’s aggressive outburst in open court scandalised the court and attempted to undermine its authority.
Reported explanation and response
Ghumare allegedly blamed the High Court administration for not filling the 179 fast-track court posts; the reports do not include his full response to the contempt notice.
Whether an apology resolves the matter
High Court’s position
The court said an otherwise unacceptable act could not simply be excused because an apology was later offered.
Reported explanation and response
The Advocate General sought permission for the court to accept Ghumare’s apology, but the reports do not state whether Ghumare personally made or defended that apology.
- Officer
- Dilip S Ghumare, Maharashtra’s Law and Judiciary Department Secretary and Senior Legal Advisor; he was also described as a former Principal Secretary of the department.
- Bench
- Justices Ajey S Gadkari and Kamal R Khata
- Disputed issue
- The filling of 179 posts created for fast-track courts
- Alleged conduct
- An aggressive, high-pitched reaction that at times bordered on shouting
- Court’s assessment
- The conduct was described as outrageous, wholly unpardonable, unwarranted and damaging to judicial authority.
- Legal basis
- Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
- Next hearing
- September 11
