The Delhi High Court initiates suo motu contempt proceedings against a litigant for abusing and making derogatory remarks against the Court.

The Delhi High Court has initiated Suo Moto contempt proceedings against a litigant and has issued a show cause notice to the litigant, as to why the litigant be not punished under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

The facts leading to the show cause notice are that when after the date was given and item No. 11 was taken, the litigant, who had joined through video conferencing, abused the Court by saying that “How Could Item No. 11 Be Taken Before Item No. 10” and also saying that “Ye Saali Kya Kar Rahi Hai, What The F.... is Going On In This Court”. 
 
The Court observed thus:

“Such aforesaid derogatory remarks made by the litigant to denigrate the Court are patently contemptuous and show the complete disregard to the dignity of the Court, despite the fact that the counsels representing respective parties were present and had agreed to the date given i.e., 16.04.2024 for final arguments.”

“The FRRO, Delhi is also directed to impound the Passport/VISA on arrival of the plaintiff/Anita Kumari Gupta in case she comes to India before the date fixed for hearing and she is not permitted to leave the country without the direction of this Court.” 

“Learned counsel for the plaintiff has undertaken to convey this Order to his party. The High Commission of India at Canberra, Australia is also directed to communicate this Order to the plaintiff/Anita Kumari Gupta, who is stated to be living at present in Sydney, Australia, through Consulate General of India, Sydney, Australia.”

ANITA KUMARI GUPTA v. VED BHUSHAN & OTHERS