Delhi High Court Initiates Contempt Proceedings
The Delhi High Court has taken the unprecedented step of initiating criminal contempt of court proceedings against advocate Rakesh Kumar. The allegations stem from reported incidents where Kumar is said to have vocally confronted and threatened a trial court judge during open court sessions. The case in question is Court on its own Motion Vs Rakesh Kumar, Advocate.
Judicial Bench and Case Background
The proceedings have been initiated by a Division Bench comprising Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja. The decision to commence these proceedings follows a reference from District Judge MK Nagpal of the Tis Hazari Courts in Delhi. On August 20, two orders were issued by the High Court, seeking a formal response from advocate Kumar regarding the allegations.
Details of the Alleged Incidents
According to reports from the trial judge, the first incident took place on March 4, 2025. During this occurrence, Kumar allegedly accused the district judge of bias, criticized the work ethic of judges, and threatened to file RTI applications to investigate the judge’s past. Kumar reportedly remarked that he did not become a lawyer to engage in “chamchagiri” (sycophancy).
A subsequent incident was reported on April 16, which involved a scheduling error in a case Kumar was handling. Dissatisfied with the judge’s response, Kumar allegedly demanded a written apology and used inappropriate language, as noted by the High Court.
High Court’s Findings and Orders
The High Court noted that Kumar’s actions were conducted openly, undermining the court’s authority and potentially interfering with judicial proceedings. The charge framed by the court emphasizes that such behavior constitutes criminal contempt.
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Despite the allegations, advocate Rakesh Kumar has pleaded not guilty. He has been instructed to file a response to the charges. Furthermore, the High Court has requested CCTV footage of the trial court sessions where the alleged contempt occurred. Kumar has also been ordered to appear in person at the next hearing, scheduled for October 15. Advocate Amit George has been appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court.
