Criminal contempt action will be initiated against the law affairs chief of the Cockroach Janata Party, Ratna Singh, for her remarks against Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of the Saket Courts.
The Delhi government’s Additional Standing Counsel issued the order to commence the contempt proceedings at a lawyer’s request.
According to the law official, Singh’s social media posts and statements prima facie attracted action under the Contempt of Courts Act.
Remarks Linked to October 10 Court Proceedings
The issue is tied up with a pending case before the the Chief Judicial Magistrate after Singh approached the court on October 10 when the CJP protested.
There is a very clear distinction between challenging the correctness of a decision of a judge and casting blame on the judge, or a source of pressure impacting on a judge, for rendering a wrongful decision, said the Additional Standing Counsel.
Singh had allegedly told that the judicial officer was serving the master and was doing master’s bidding.
Comments Could Undermine Judicial Independence
“These comments are not a typical ‘one-upmanship’ on a judge’s order, she said, but seemed to imply that the judge was being directed by an outside agent.
Without any concrete evidence to back up the allegations, such claims may mar the independence and objectivity of the judiciary, the counsel said.
It further pointed out that public remarks on the “subject” could reduce the role of the courts and have an impact on public trust and confidence in the courts.
The new criminal contempt hearings will involve determining if Ratna Singh’s comments interfere with or undermine the authority of the judiciary.