The Supreme Court of India has granted interim relief to YouTuber Gulshan Pahuja, who was previously sentenced to six months in prison by the Delhi High Court for contempt of court. The decision to suspend his sentence was made by a bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu, who also issued a notice to the Delhi High Court regarding Pahuja’s appeal against the verdict.
Pahuja’s legal representative argued that his client had already served 48 days of his sentence, which prompted the Supreme Court to order his release. The official court directive stated: “Notice on appeal and application for interim relief. Sentence suspended. Order Dasti. Petitioner shall be released.”
The defense asserted that Pahuja’s actions were motivated by a desire to highlight issues within the judicial system. “Pahuja raised his voice against the judicial system. Everyone knows what is going on,” his counsel argued. The court, recognizing the suspension of the sentence, queried, “What do you want now? You have already been granted suspension of sentence,” to which the counsel expressed gratitude.
Background of the Case
In May, the Delhi High Court convicted Pahuja of criminal contempt for making derogatory remarks about the judiciary in his YouTube videos and court appearances. The High Court highlighted his comparisons between the judiciary and a dictatorship, emphasizing statements like “adaalaton ki manmarzi badhti jaa rahi hai aur main koi nyay ki umeed nahi kar raha” and “manmarzi ka dusra arth taanashahi hota hai.” These comments were interpreted as scandalous and damaging to the court’s authority.
Following his conviction, Pahuja sought an extension for his surrender, a request that was denied by the Delhi High Court. He then moved the Supreme Court for an extension, but ultimately surrendered while his plea was still pending.
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The Supreme Court’s decision to grant interim relief came as Pahuja was already serving his sentence, offering him a temporary reprieve as his appeal continues to be deliberated.
For more detailed coverage of the proceedings, refer to live updates on the Supreme Court’s hearing of Gulshan Pahuja’s appeal, which challenges the Delhi High Court’s judgment convicting him of criminal contempt.
