Supreme Court Warns Lawyers Against Targeting Judges, Calls Trend ‘Inviting Contempt’

The Supreme Court has strongly condemned what it described as a growing “trend” among lawyers to make scandalous allegations against judges, warning that such conduct could lead to contempt proceedings.

A bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai made the remarks on Monday while hearing a contempt case involving serious allegations against a sitting Telangana High Court judge. The Chief Justice emphasized that High Court judges are constitutional functionaries who enjoy the same immunity and respect as Supreme Court judges. While the apex court has no administrative control over High Court judges, it affirmed its duty to protect them from such attacks.

The case arose from a petition in which the petitioner, their Advocate-on-Record, and the drafting lawyer allegedly used contemptuous language against the High Court judge. In an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court issued contempt notices, making it clear that lawyers who draft and sign such petitions are equally liable for contempt.

Rejecting an attempt to withdraw the petition or issue an immediate apology, the Chief Justice cautioned the counsel: “You are inviting contempt against your client. Before signing such a petition, is it not your duty as a responsible officer of the court to exercise caution?”

The Supreme Court has now allowed the respondent to tender an unconditional apology directly before the same High Court judge who issued the original ruling. The case will be reopened within a week for this purpose, and the judge will have another week to decide whether to accept the apology. If the apology is rejected, the Supreme Court will determine the next steps.

Source: India Today