The Madhya Pradesh High Court has initiated criminal contempt of court proceedings against an advocate accused of misbehaving with a woman Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) in the Khandwa District Court and referring to her as a “chaprasi” (peon). A Division Bench has taken serious note of the advocate’s conduct after the matter was referred to the High Court by the Principal District Judge of Khandwa.
An advocate from Khandwa is facing the rigor of contempt proceedings before the Madhya Pradesh High Court following allegations of egregious misconduct towards a woman judge during court proceedings. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf is hearing the criminal contempt case initiated against the advocate for allegedly using derogatory language and undermining the authority of the court.
Background of the Case
The incident in question occurred on April 22, 2025, within the courtroom of a woman Judicial Magistrate First Class in the Khandwa District Court. According to the reference sent to the High Court by the Principal District Judge of Khandwa, the advocate was representing a party in a cheque bounce case.
When the case was first called for hearing, the lawyer was not present. He appeared later, at which point the magistrate reportedly asked him to produce the ‘talwana’ (a document related to the serving of summons or notice). As per the reference, this direction from the bench agitated the advocate, who allegedly lost his temper and used indecorous language, including the term “chaprasi” (peon), to address the presiding judicial officer.
Taking a serious view of this behavior, which scandalizes and lowers the authority of the court, the Principal District Judge of Khandwa registered a case of criminal contempt and forwarded the reference to the High Court for the initiation of appropriate proceedings.
High Court’s Intervention and Proceedings
The Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo motu cognizance of the reference and registered a criminal contempt case against the advocate.
Initially, a notice was issued summoning the lawyer, but it could not be served. Consequently, the High Court issued a fresh notice, directing his mandatory personal appearance before the bench.
On September 23, 2025, the advocate appeared before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf. It was reported that the advocate presented himself respectfully before the court. The High Court is proceeding with the hearing of the contempt case to determine the course of action against the advocate for his alleged conduct. The matter stands as a stark reminder of the judiciary’s stance on upholding the dignity and decorum of the courts and its officers. Further proceedings in the matter are awaited.
