Advocate files Contempt Petition against Ahsanuddin Amanullah J. of Patna HC

In her capacity as “an officer of the Court”, a lawyer has filed a petition against Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah of the Patna High Court for criminal contempt under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971..In her application under Section 15 read with Section 16 of the Act, Advocate Alka Verma “seeks leave and indulgence” of the Patna High Court to take suo motu cognizance of the alleged contempt by Justice Amanullah, when he “crossed all bearable boundaries in his utterances during the court proceedings” and “lowered the dignity” of the Court..Verma alleges that while disposing of a writ petition in which she had appeared, Justice Amanullah “resorted to humiliating” her “by making some very highly objectionable and derogatory statements in a very offensive tone”..She accuses Justice Amanullah of making unwarranted comments on how she was empaneled, and “hankering for bills”..“Pairavi kar kar ke panel main aate hai” (One gets into panels through references) and “Sirf bill banane me interest hai” (One is only interested in getting one’s fee), she quotes the judge as having said in open court..Quoting a speech made by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra at a farewell function, she submits that it is the duty of the judges to show respect to the lawyers, irrespective of their age or status..She asserts that a judge cannot make personal remarks against a lawyer or use harsh words in open court, which may bring down his reputation in the eyes of his colleagues and litigants..“That the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah by aforesaid act of utterances of uncharitable words towards the “officer of the court” in the open court, before the client and juniors and other learned advocates present in the court has not only violated the oath but also scandalized the Hon’ble Court”, the application states..The applicant has thus prayed for the Patna High Court to take suo motu cognizance of the issue..Read the Application: