Thread by @barandbench

#DelhiHighCourt to hear today a suo motu criminal contempt petition against #VivekAgnihotri, #AnandRanganathan and others for their comments against Justice S Muralidhar.

Agnihotri has already apologised in the matter. However, the court has asked him to appear in person and… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

The contempt proceedings have been initiated against Agnihotri, Ranganathan and others because they made certain comments against Justice Muralidhar after he granted bail to activist Gautam Navlakha in the Bhima Koregaon case.

Earlier, the court had decided to proceed ex parte against the accused. However, later a counsel for Agnihotri entered appearance in the matter and even filed an affidavit apologising in writing.

But the court insisted that he must do so in person.

In the last hearing, a counsel for Ranganathan also entered appearance and stated that he will take part in the proceedings.
#ContemptofCourt #VivekAgnihotri #AnandRanganathan

The petition will be heard by a division bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh.

Court master informs that J Talwant Singh is on leave today. J Mridul to hold court with J Vikas Mahajan.

Matter taken up.
Vivek Agnihotri present in court.
Advocate J Sai Deepak appears for Anand Ranganathan.

J Mridul: Ask Mr Ranganathan to remain present in court as well. What is the difficulty.
Adv Deepak: No difficulty my lords.

J Mridul: Every citizen of the ocuntry must know that you should be careful. We invite just and fair criticism. This is how we function.

The court's comment is in relation to another criminal contempt court filed against RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy.

The court says that since Gurumurthy has already apologised in the matter, it has run its course.

J Mridul: He (Gurumurthy) has expressed remorse and tendered an unconditional apology.

J Mridul: In Justice Gogoi's judgement it is said that courts do not punish for contempt to secure their dignity. Our dignity does not come from what people have to say. It comes from duties… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

J Mridul cites the example where Lord Templeman refused to initiate contempt proceedings when an image called judges "old fools".

J Mridul: Surely, our dignity is formed on stronger foundation. It doesn't depend on what people say. Lawyers also say all kinds of things when they walk out of the court.

Lawyer seeks a passover.

Court: Okay, we will pass over.

Court is informed that Agnihotri is in court.
J Mridul: He is here and he expresses remorse.

ORder: Mr Vivek Agnihotri, the alleged contemnor is present in the court in person and reiterates his remorse.

Order: he also tenders an unconditional apology qua the allegedly offensive statement on Twitter.

J Mridul: Twitter is a source of great misery.

J Mridul: The affidavit also reflects the remorse expressed by him. For the sake of completeness, the relevant are extracted. in view of the foregoing and in the circumstances that Mr Agnihhotri states that he has utmost respect for the judiciary and he did not intend to wilfully… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Adv J Said Deepak requests the court to replace the word 'majesty' instead of 'sensibility'.

*correction Advocae J Sai Deepak.

Advocate Deepak also submits that Ranganathan will be present in court on the next date of hearing.

Court lists the case for further hearing on May 24.

Court also cautions Agnihotri to be carefull in future.