NATIONAL TEXTILE WORKERS' UNION versus P. R. RAMAKRISHNAN & OTHERS

NATIONAL TEXTILE WORKERS' UNION versus P. R. RAMAKRISHNAN & OTHERS

The conduct and writings of the contemner constituted serious interference with the administration of justice. The apology tendered was insincere, and he resiled from it, indicating lack of penitence. His actions were intended to deter Judges from dispensing justice and amounted to contempt of court under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

Parties
Petitioner: National Textile Workers' Union; Respondents: P. R. Ramakrishnan & Others; Contemner: P. M. Kumaraswamy @ Kailaimannan; Petitioner in Contempt: R. Baba Chandresekhar
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
05 May 1983
Procedural Posture
Civil Miscellaneous Petition / Special Leave Petition / Original Jurisdiction With Judgment Rendered
Outcome
Contemner convicted under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
Legal Topics
Allegations Against Judges, Apology in Contempt, Interference With Administration of Justice
Contempt of Court Allegations Against Judges Apology in Contempt Interference With Administration of Justice

Case Brief

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Parties

National Textile Workers' Union

Petitioner

P. R. Ramakrishnan & Others

Respondents

P. M. Kumaraswamy @ Kailaimannan

Contemner

R. Baba Chandresekhar

Petitioner in Contempt

Procedural Posture

Civil Miscellaneous Petition / Special Leave Petition / Original Jurisdiction With Judgment Rendered

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the contemner should be punished for making serious allegations of corruption against High Court Judges and subsequently publishing scurrilous writings after tendering an apology.

Ratio Decidendi

The conduct and writings of the contemner constituted serious interference with the administration of justice. The apology tendered was insincere, and he resiled from it, indicating lack of penitence. His actions were intended to deter Judges from dispensing justice and amounted to contempt of court under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

Court Disposition

Contemner convicted under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971

Orders

  • Contemner sentenced to simple imprisonment for three months and fined Rs. 2,000.
  • Contemner to be taken into custody forthwith. If suffering from any physical ailment, care to be taken for his state of health.