LI Network
Published on: January 20, 2024 at 11:30 IST
The Delhi High Court has taken suo motu action, initiating a criminal contempt of Court case against an Indian woman residing in Australia for using derogatory language against a judge and the Court during a virtual hearing.
On January 10, Anita Kumari Gupta, logged into the Court through virtual conferencing (VC), directed profanity towards the Court and Justice Neena Bansal Krishna after a date was given in her matter, expressing dissatisfaction with the court’s proceedings.
Justice Krishna issued a show-cause notice to Gupta, requiring her to appear in person before the court on April 16. The court also instructed the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to impound Gupta’s passport/visa upon her arrival in India before the scheduled hearing date. Additionally, Gupta was prohibited from leaving the country without the court’s explicit permission.
The High Commission of India at Canberra, Australia, was tasked with communicating this order to Gupta, currently residing in Sydney, through the Consulate General of India, Sydney.
The Court’s decision to initiate contempt proceedings stemmed from Gupta’s derogatory remarks, despite the parties’ representatives having agreed to the given date for final arguments.
“Keeping in view such derogatory remarks lowering the dignity of the court, the suo moto contempt is taken. Accordingly, the show-cause notice is issued to the plaintiff/Anita Kumari Gupta, 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 Court’s order stated.