Did Priyanka Gandhi Cross the Line? Contempt Petition Hits Supreme Court

Advocate Ashok Pandey has written to the Chief Justice of India seeking initiation of criminal contempt proceedings against Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for allegedly making "unwarranted and uncalled for comments" against the Supreme Court in response to oral observations made during the hearing of a case involving Rahul Gandhi.

In his letter dated August 6, Pandey who describes himself as a judicial activist with over 200 public interest litigations to his name, alleges that Vadra’s comments, made in the public domain, amount to criminal contempt under Section 2(c) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

The background of the application pertains to SLP (Crl) No. 11753/2025, Rahul Gandhi v. State of UP & Another, which was recently heard by a bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih.

The case concerns remarks made by Rahul Gandhi several years ago about Chinese occupation of Indian territory and the Indian Army.

The trial court's summoning order was challenged by Gandhi and reached the Supreme Court after being upheld by the Allahabad High Court.

During the hearing, the bench reportedly asked what evidence Gandhi had to support his claim that China had occupied 2,000 sq. km of Indian territory, and observed that "no true Bharatiya will make such a statement."

Following this, Pandey claims, a wave of criticism erupted on social media.

“In comment, it was also said that the senior member of bench is trying to manage the Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha seat for himself by making such remarks,” the letter states.

Pandey alleges that Vadra "topped" among those who criticised the Court, asserting: “It is she who firstly made the offending comments and then her followers commented on line set up by Ms Priyanka Vadra.”

He contends that although it may not be feasible to prosecute all individuals who commented online, the "instigators" must be held accountable to uphold the rule of law.

The letter also expresses frustration over what Pandey describes as the inaction or delays by constitutional authorities such as Attorney General and Advocate Generals in granting sanction to prosecute contemnors under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act.

Citing past examples, including his own conviction for contempt by the Allahabad High Court, Pandey argues that "VIP citizens" are often let off lightly or not prosecuted at all, which, he claims, emboldens others to make disparaging remarks against the judiciary.

He concludes the letter with a prayer to the Chief Justice;

“Wherefore I most respectfully pray... to initiate the contempt proceeding against Ms Priyanka Vadra for committing the wilful and deliberate Contempt of Courts Act and after summoning, prosecute and punish her.”