Thread by @barandbench

[Comments against Justice S Muralidhar] #DelhiHighCourt will hear today a suo motu contempt petition against Vivek Agnihotri, Anand Ranganathan and Swarajya magazine.

@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

In the last hearing, Agnihotri had tendered an unconditional apology. However, the court had asked him to express remorse in person.

The case relates to Agnihotri and others' comments against the then Delhi High Court judge and current Chief Justice of Orissa High Court, Justice S Muralidhar after he granted bail to Gautam Navlakha.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

The plea will be heard by a bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

Court is on item 6. Agnihotri's matter is listed as item 9.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

Agnihotri's matter is the next item on board.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

Matter taken up.

@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

Sr Adv Arvind Nigam appears as amicus.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

Court is informed that there is another matter by the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) related to the S Gurumurthy's tweet.

J Mridul: This matter has been going on for five years. Let's put a quitus to this.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

In sup motu petition, Agnihotri's counsel says he was asked to appear personally.

Counsel: He is down with fever. He is appearing through VC.
Bench: When is he going to be here? He can't come? Give us a date of your choice.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

Counsel: He is on VC
He can respond

Bench: We are not his counsels.
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Counsel appears for Anand Ranganath.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

Amicus: Subsequent to these proceedings, Mr Ranganath has said he will never apologise.
Counsel: I am appearing for him and I am going to participate.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

Amicus: He said he will never apologise and that he will go down fighting.
J Mridul: Why? This is not civil war.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

Amicus: Even his subsequent tweets are contumacious.

Bench: Alright. We will see.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

Agnihotri's counsel says they are taking instructions on when he would appear.

Bench: You tell us if he doesn't want to appear.

Counsel: We will appear whenever my lord fixes the date.

Bench: We are eternally grateful (laughs).
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

Bench rises. Court to assemble after 10 minutes.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72

Court hints that it will hear the matter on April 10.

*Correction.
The other contemnor is Anand Ranganathan, not Anand Ranganath.

Bench assembles.
Agnihotri's counsel: He will be hear on April 10.
Bench records the same.

Hearing over.
@vivekagnihotri #Contempt #vivekagnihotri @ARanganathan72