IN RE: W. PETER RAMESH KUMAR Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Preamble

(2.) This contempt proceeding was initiated suo-motu by a Division Bench vide its order dated 16.9.2015, when the Contemnor barged into a court hall along with a group of lawyers shouting slogans, called out the Advocates present therein to come out, picked up an argument with a lawyer who refused to come out and challenged the learned Judges to take action if they dared. The contemnor appeared before us on 30.11.2015 and sought a copy of the proceedings dated 16.9.2015 to enable him to file a response. After receiving the copy of the proceedings dated 16.9.2015, the contemnor indulged in various tactics which we have recorded in our orders dated 10.12.2015, 7.1.2016 and 19.1.2016. Ultimately, the Contemnor filed a reply dated 27.1.2016. The opportunity given to the Contemnor to submit a reply, was used by him (i) to make scandalous allegations against the Presiding Judge of the Division Bench, which initiated contempt action (ii) to make allegations against the learned Judge who was part of our division bench (NKKJ) (iii) to make a scurrilous attack on others including women lawyers and (iv) to demand the summoning of a sitting Hon'ble Judge of the Supreme court apart from others. Therefore, this Court rejected such allegations as an outrageous attempt by the Contemnor to denigrate and slander the judiciary and we adjourned the case to 4.2.2016 for framing of charges. In the meantime, finding that the contents of his counter were not published in the print media, he circulated its contents through Whatsapp and Facebook posts.

(3.) Thereafter, this Court framed charges against the Contemnor on 4.2.2016, which were duly served upon him. The charges framed against him are as follows:-