STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Vs. R J MEHTA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a proceeding under the Contempt of Courts Act. The proceeding is initiated against four persons. Respondent No. 1 is a trade union leader or labour leader and in that capacity he is involved in many disputes before the labour courts and Industrial courts. Sometime before 25-11-1983 he released a statement to the press and on its basis the English daily "Time of India" published the news item. That item reads as follows :---

(2.) This Court has issued notices to all the four respondents to show cause as to why action for Contempt of Court should not be taken.

(3.) Respondent No. 1 filed his affidavit in reply. In that affidavit he has expressed his regrets about the above-mentioned report. He has also unconditionally withdrawn the allegations and charges made in the report and has tendered unconditional apology. He has admitted that he has been a trade union leader and was involved in several disputes before the Industrial courts and Labour courts. He has further stated that he was considerably disturbed by some decisions. However, according to him, he now realised that it was an error on his part to rely upon the grievances about such decisions and to issue a statement to the press. At the fag end, he has stated that he had no intention of scandalising any member of the Labour of Industrial Court or to lower their authority.