An advocate in Assam was found guilty of contempt of court after making disparaging statements about a judicial officer, including commenting on her attire and equating her with a mythical demon. The Gauhati High Court sentenced him to six months in prison.
However, the court also suspended his sentence by laying down some conditions. But the advocate must submit a bail bond to the court.
In a recent judgement, the division bench of Justices Kalyan Rai Surana and Devashis Baruah forbade the lawyer Utpal Goswami from standing as an advocate in any court subject to the High Court's jurisdiction for 15 days.
The Contempt of Courts Act of 1971's Section 14 accuses the counsel of criminal contempt.
The two-judge bench observed, "The respondent-contemnor has not only made unfounded vitriolic attack on the integrity and impartiality of the learned judicial official concerned, but has also embarked upon character assassination of the said judicial officer. Moreover, the petitioner had also attacked this Court by making disparaging remarks on the selection process of judicial officers by questioning the sanctity of the selection process."
Goswami had earlier submitted a petition, which was still pending before the Court of Additional District Judge in Assam's Jorhat district.
Goswami mentioned in the petition, "The additional district judge has been presiding the court by wearing jewellery like a model in ramp and that each and every occasion she tried to overpower/depress the advocates by citing unnecessary case laws and sections of statutes without hearing the advocates, and tries to control the courtroom."
The Gauhati High Court bench also believed that the comments would inspire other lawyers around the nation to insult and threaten judges anytime a decision is made that goes against their interests.
However, the two-judge bench also provided a lifeline to the lawyer. They suspended the sentence of imprisonment under the condition that if he gets convicted again for contempt of court in the next four years, then he would have to serve the jail term.
CPI-M central committee member Jitendra Chaudhury re-elected as Tripura unit Secretary
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) central committee member Jitendra Chaudhury re-elected as party’s Tripura state Secretary in the three-day (January 29 to 31) 24th state conference of the Left party.
States should boost biz reforms to generate higher incomes for citizens: Eco Survey
States should focus on business reforms on a priority basis to achieve buoyancies in some industrial or service sectors, the Economic Survey 2024-25 said on Friday.
NCERT team seizes pirated textbooks in Agartala
Officials of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), along with Tripura Police, seized pirated NCERT books that were being sold to students in bookshops in Agartala, officials said on Friday.
Mamta Kulkarni's past haunts her, leads to expulsion from Kinnar Akhada
Actress Mamta Kulkarni, who ruled the 90s, has been expelled from the Kinnar Akhada. The designation of Mahamandaleshwar, which was given to the actress, has been revoked. The reason behind the same has been revealed to the actress’ past link to cinema, and her alleged criminal past.
Eco Survey suggests enhanced deregulation for MSMEs to boost growth
Faster economic growth is only possible if the Union and state governments continue to implement reforms that allow small and medium enterprises to operate efficiently and compete cost-effectively, said the Economic Survey 2024 on Friday.
Lifestyle choices, workplace culture key for mental well-being, productivity: Eco Survey
Lifestyle choices and workplace culture are critical for the mental well-being and thus, the productivity of the people in India, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25 on Friday.
Eco Survey: Demographic advantage, responsible approach position India to benefit from AI
With AI research and development currently concentrated in the hands of a few, very large companies that control the resources to erect high entry barriers, AI adoption in place of humans presents the risk of concentrating the benefits of automation.
Prez Murmu faces ‘repeated’ insults from Congress: Sonia Gandhi’s comments fuel backlash
The BJP was quick to condemn the remarks, calling them “derogatory” and accusing the Congress of disrespecting the President. BJP leaders said that Congress’s “feudal mindset” cannot accept that a tribal woman like Droupadi Murmu achieved the position of President of India.