Delhi High Court directs police to locate man repeatedly threatening court via VC; bars him from leaving India

The Delhi High Court on March 23 directed Delhi Police to trace the location of one Adeeshwar Singhal (contemnor) against whom criminal contempt of court proceedings have been initiated for making repeated threats against judges [Court on its own motion v Adeeshwar Singhal]. .The Court also restrained Singhal from leaving the country.A Division Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja passed the order after Singhal appeared before the Court via video conference on March 23 and continued with his scandalous remarks and threats against judiciaryThe Court noted that he has still not appeared in person despite repeated directions. However, Singhal gave a vague location stating that he is in State of Maharashtra."In spite of directions, the respondent has not appeared before us in person. Even today, he has continued to make scandalous remarks against various judges and the judicial institution as a whole. He has also threatened the Court, thereby compounding his contempt," the Court said.In light of the same, the Court directed the Delhi Police to trace his location and ensure that he is brought before itself. Fresh non-bailable warrants were issued against him for this purpose. The Court also directed the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to ensure that Singhal does not leave the country. "The Delhi Police is directed to ensure that the whereabouts of the respondent are traced, including through the IP address from which he has joined the proceedings, and that he is produced before us on the next date of hearing. For this purpose, we issue fresh Non- Bailable Warrants to be executed by the Delhi Police on the respondent. Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) is also directed to ensure that the respondent, in case he is not already out of the country, is not allowed to leave the country," the Court directed. .Contempt of court proceedings were initiated against Singhal last year on a reference made by a district judge posted at Karkardooma Courts. According to the court records, Singhal appeared before the court on April 9, 2025 through video conference and made scandalous and derogatory remarks against the judge in open court, repeatedly interrupted the proceedings, and defied the directions issued by the Court. Despite warnings and efforts to maintain order, he continued with his disruptive and disrespectful behaviour.The High Court issued notice to Singhal on May 23, 2025, in the contempt of court proceedings and directed him to appear on August 1, 2025. However, he failed to appear in person.Bailable warrants were issued against him on November 6, 2025. The order revealed that on that date, he again appeared through video conference but refused to disclose his location to the Court. He also told the Court that he would not face these “stupid proceedings.”When the matter was taken up on December 2, 2025, the Court was informed that the warrants could not be executed. Singhal again appeared via video conference and used “derogatory and contemptuous words” against the High Court judges, prompting the Court to remove him from the proceedings.The Court then proceeded to issue non-bailable warrants against him.On January 8, 2026, the police informed the Court that Singhal had left the country. When the matter was taken up again on February 19, Singhal once more appeared through video conference and used threatening language towards the Court. Following this, the Bench directed him to appear before the Court in person, failing which it would take appropriate measures to secure his presence..During an earlier hearing, the Court had directed Singhal to appear before the Court in person on March 23, warning that it would take “appropriate coercive steps to have his presence ensured.”When the matter was taken up on March 23, Singhal failed to appear in person. Instead, he appeared via video conference and threatened the Court, prompting the Bench to pass order to secure his presence..The matter will be heard next on April 23..Amicus Curiae Amit George with advocate Bhrigu Pamidighantam appeared to assist the Court. Singhal appeared via video conference.Additional Public Prosecutor Aman Usman with advocates Manvendra Yadav, Atiq Ur Rehman appeared for the State. [Read Order]