INRE: ROSHAN LAL AHUJA versus .

INRE: ROSHAN LAL AHUJA versus .

The contemnor permitted himself the liberty of using intemperate and abusive language, casting unfounded aspersions on the impartiality and ability of Judges, thereby scandalising the Court and undermining its dignity, amounting to gross criminal contempt warranting deterrent punishment.

Parties
Contemnor: Roshan Lal Ahuja; Respondent: Union of India; Amicus Curiae: G.R. Pai; Attorney General of India: G. Ramaswamy; Other Party: V.C. Mahajan; Other Party: Hemant Sharma; Other Party: Ms. Sushma Suri; Other Party: Ms. A Subhashini
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
26 November 1992
Procedural Posture
Contempt Petition / Original Jurisdiction, Judgment
Outcome
Contemnor found guilty of gross criminal contempt of Supreme Court of India.
Legal Topics
Criminal Contempt, Article 32, Judicial Dignity, Limits of Criticism of Judgments
Contempt of Court Constitutional Law Criminal Contempt Article 32 Judicial Dignity Limits of Criticism of Judgments

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Parties

Roshan Lal Ahuja

Contemnor

Union of India

Respondent

G.R. Pai

Amicus Curiae

G. Ramaswamy

Attorney General of India

V.C. Mahajan

Other Party

Hemant Sharma

Other Party

Ms. Sushma Suri

Other Party

Ms. A Subhashini

Other Party

Procedural Posture

Contempt Petition / Original Jurisdiction, Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the contemnor committed criminal contempt by scandalising the Supreme Court and its Judges through abusive language.
  2. 2 What limits exist for criticism of judicial judgments and courts.

Ratio Decidendi

The contemnor permitted himself the liberty of using intemperate and abusive language, casting unfounded aspersions on the impartiality and ability of Judges, thereby scandalising the Court and undermining its dignity, amounting to gross criminal contempt warranting deterrent punishment.

Court Disposition

Contemnor found guilty of gross criminal contempt of Supreme Court of India.

Orders

  • Contemnor sentenced to simple imprisonment for four months.
  • Contemnor to pay a fine of Rs.1000.