"Sheer Frustration & Depression": Delhi HC Closes Contempt Case Against Man Who Alleged Corruption In Judiciary As He Tenders Unconditional Apology
The Delhi High Court accepted unconditional apology tendered by a man who alleged corruption in Judiciary.
The Court observed that the allegations he made appeared to stem from sheer frustration and depression.
A case was listed before the Court based on directions from the Vigilance Committee regarding a complaint against a Judicial Officer. The complaint was filed by the respondent, who alleged misuse of power by the Judicial Officer and used abusive language in an email complaint. The Vigilance Committee decided to take action for contempt based on the language used.
A Division Bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Shalinder Kaur observed, “it seems the allegations made against the judicial officer and thereafter the entire judiciary is out of sheer frustration and depression. He did not engage any counsel and used to appear in the Court in person and these replies are also filed by him in person”
The Court had issued a show cause notice, and the respondent was granted time to file a reply.
Upon reviewing the record, it was noted that the respondent raised issues of being cheated by banks and accused the judiciary of corruption and money laundering. The respondent claimed to have worked as a contractor in Fiji, facing legal issues, and suffering from depression due to financial loss from 2012 to 2022.
In response to the submissions made by the respondent, the Court observed that the allegations against the judiciary seemed to stem from frustration and depression. The respondent did not have legal representation and appeared in court personally. As a result, the Court had appointed Advocate Dhruv Madan as Amicus Curiae in September.
The Amicus Curiae interacted with the respondent, who expressed a willingness to offer an unconditional apology to the Court. The respondent, unaware of the consequences of his allegations, apologized for the comments made against the judiciary, stating it was out of frustration.
The Court accepted the unconditional apology, discharged the respondent from contempt proceedings, and disposed of the contempt petition on the basis of the apology.
Cause Title: Court On Its Own Motion v. Brijesh Shukla, [2023: DHC: 8696-DB]
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