HC jails advocate for calling one of its judges ‘corrupt’

The Delhi High Court on Thursday awarded one month jail term to a woman lawyer for calling one of its Judge as ‘corrupt’ in a criminal contempt case, saying the unsubstantiated statement tends to scandalise and lower the court’s authority.

The court also barred advocate Seema Sapra from arguing, whether as an advocate or in person, except in her defence, before any Bench of the High Court or any court or Tribunal subordinate to it for a period of two years from Thursday.

Clearly therefore the action of the noticee (Sapra) in calling Justice Vibhu Bakhru as corrupt is an act of criminal contempt of this court.

The wholly unsubstantiated statement made against Justice Vibhu Bakhru scandalises or tends to scandalise this court and also lowers and tends to lower the authority of this court.