MULK RAJ Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal by special leave from the judgment dated 12 March, 1969 of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana convicting the appellant under Section 3 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1952 and sentencing him to simple imprisonment for three months.

(2.) Proceedings under Section 3 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1952 were initiated at the instance of the District Judge, Amritsar arising out of an application dated 24 July, 1968 made by the appellant and addressed to the Chief Justice of India. Copies of the application were sent by the appellant to the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court. Additional District Judge, Amritsar and the Subordinate Judge, Amritsar. The District Judge wrote to the Registrar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the Subordinate Judge had moved the District Judge for transfer of the proceedings from his Court to some other Court and also for commencing proceedings against the appellant for contempt of Court for 'contemptuous allegations against the Judicial Officers'. The high Court thereupon started proceedings against the appellant.

(3.) The appellant filed a suit against Jabbar Mall and others. The appellant obtained a decree on 14 January, 1964. The decree was passed by the Subordinate Judge, Amritsar. The defendants filed and appeal. Shri J.P. Gupta, Additional District Judge modified the decree. The appellant filed a second appeal. The appeal was dismissed by Harbans Singh J. at a preliminary hearing on 1 April, 1965. The appellant thereafter moved for leave to appeal under Clause 10 of the Letters Patent. That application was dismissed.