The Delhi High Court has convicted a lawyer of criminal contempt for appearing inebriated in a magisterial court and using abusive language towards the presiding judicial officer. The decision, delivered by a bench headed by Justice Prathiba M Singh, underscores the judiciary’s intolerance for any breaches of courtroom decorum.
Justice Singh, alongside Justice Amit Sharma, noted that the conduct of the lawyer, whose name has been withheld, was “completely unacceptable” and “unpardonable.” According to the bench, the lawyer’s behavior not only scandalized the court but also interfered with the administration of justice, fitting squarely within the legal definition of criminal contempt under the Contempt of Courts Act.
“The words spoken are foul and abusive. Appearing before a court in a drunken state also constitutes contempt on the face of the court,” stated the bench in their recent order.
The incident took place on October 30, 2015, during which the contemnor, representing a client in a traffic-related case, began to shout and use “abusive and filthy language” during the proceedings. This outburst occurred in front of a female magistrate, which the bench highlighted as particularly egregious.
While the High Court expressed its inclination to impose a punitive sentence for the contempt, it ultimately refrained from doing so. The lawyer had already served more than five months in detention following an FIR related to the incident. The court decided that the time served would be sufficient punishment for the contempt charge.
“This court has no doubt in holding that the Respondent is guilty of criminal contempt. The period already undergone by the respondent herein is held as the punishment for the present criminal contempt,” the court concluded.
