Delhi HC initiates contempt of court case against lawyer for shouting, threatening trial judge

The Delhi High Court has initiated criminal contempt of court proceedings against an advocate named Rakesh Kumar for allegedly shouting at a trial court judge and threatening him in open court [Court on its own Motion Vs Rakesh Kumar, Advocate].

The Division Bench of Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja has also sought advocate Kumar's response in the matter, by two orders passed on August 20.

The criminal contempt proceedings were initiated following a reference from District Judge MK Nagpal, from the Tis Hazari Courts in Delhi. 

The trial judge reported two incidents.

One such incident is alleged to have taken place on March 4, 2025, when the lawyer allegedly raised his voice, accused the district judge of acting in a biased manner, said judges did not work properly, threatened to file RTI applications to dig up the judge's past records, and remarked that he did not become a lawyer to be a judge’s “chamchagiri (sycophant)."

The lawyer is further alleged to have told the judge that he is not doing anyone any favours since his salary is funded by taxpayers' money and questioned whether the judge could then do "dadagiri" (act like a bully) in court.

Another incident is said to have taken place on April 16, after a case in which the lawyer was appearing was listed on the wrong date. Dissatisfied with the response he got when this issue was raised, the lawyer allegedly raised his voice at the trial judge and demanded a written apology.

The High Court noted that Kumar had allegedly used unparliamentary language despite repeated attempts by the judge to convey that the court official responsible for the lapse would be asked to give an explanation.

"You (advocate Kumar) further persisted and stated that you required a written apology from the Court. This incident occurred in full view in the open court and you failed to offer any respect to the court ... By the above act, which was committed in the open court through the virtual platform and in full view of those present, you have lowered the authority of the Court and attempted to interfere with the due course of judicial proceedings and the administration of justice, thereby committing criminal contempt," stated the charge framed by the High Court.

The advocate has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Court has directed him to file his response.

It also called for the CCTV recording of the trial court proceedings during which the allegedly contemptuous remarks were made.

The Court further directed the advocate to be personally present on the next date of hearing on October 15.

Advocate Rakesh Kumar appeared in person.

Advocate Amit George assisted the Court as amicus curiae.

[Read Orders]