Delhi HC issues show cause notice to woman residing in Australia for “contemptuous” remarks against judge

New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has recently issued a show cause notice in a sou moto contempt case against a woman living in Australia for using derogatory words against the judge of the high court.

This matter is related to giving a date in April 2024 for final arguments in a suit filed by the woman.

The high court directed the plaintiff to appear before the court in person on the next date of hearing, April 16, 2024.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, after taking suo moto of the derogatory language used, issued a show cause notice to Anita Kumar Gupta who is stated to be residing in Sydney, Australia, and joined the hearing through video conferencing.

The bench noted that at the joint consent of the counsels for the parties, the matter was listed on April 16, 2024.

“After the date was given and item no. 11 was taken, the plaintiff/Anita Kumari Gupta, who had joined through video conferencing, abused the court by saying that how could item no. 11 be taken before item no. 10 and also saying that what… is going on in this court,” the court stated.

Justice Krishna said, “Such aforesaid derogatory remarks made by the plaintiff/Anita

Kumari Gupta to denigrate the court are patently contemptuous and show the complete disregard to the dignity of the court, despite the fact that the counsels representing respective parties were present and had agreed to the date given i.e., April 16, 2024, for final arguments.”

“Keeping in view such derogatory remarks lowering the dignity of the court, the suo moto contempt is taken,” Justice Krishna said.

Accordingly, the show-cause notice is issued to the the plaintiff, who is stated to be, at present, living in Sydney, Australia, as to why she be not punished under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, the bench ordered.

The bench directed the FRRO, Delhi, to impound the Passport/VISA on the arrival of the plaintiff/Anita Kumari Gupta in case, she comes to India before the date fixed for hearing and she be not permitted to leave the country without the direction of this Court.

The High Court has also directed the High Commission of India at Canberra, Australia to communicate this Order to the plaintiff/Anita Kumari Gupta, who is stated to be living at present in Sydney, Australia, through Consulate General of India, Sydney, Australia.

The counsel also undertook to convey the order to the plaintiff Anita Kumari Gupta.