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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court recently concluded the criminal contempt of court proceedings against one Brijesh Shukla, a mechanical engineer who had used derogatory language against a judicial officer and alleged corruption within the entire Delhi judiciary.

The division bench comprising Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Shalinder Kaur deemed Shukla's allegations "expressions of sheer frustration and depression."

The contempt proceedings were initiated in 2019 when Shukla sent an email complaint to the Vigilance Committee for judicial officers, accusing a judicial officer of power misuse. The complaint contained abusive language directed at the judge.

The court acknowledged that Shukla had raised concerns about being cheated by banks and asserted that the judicial officer was handling "fake cases" against him intending to seize his foreign payment.

During the proceedings, Shukla, a mechanical engineering graduate who worked in Fiji, claimed that he did not receive his rightful payment, leading to a legal dispute with Angelique International Ltd. regarding payments from the Fiji government. Shukla also cited a decade-long period of financial losses contributing to depression.

Upon interaction with an amicus curiae appointed for his defense, Shukla expressed unconditional remorse, explaining his lack of awareness about the contemptuous nature of his allegations.

He tendered an unconditional apology, acknowledging the need for caution in the future. Considering Shukla's apology and explanation, the court discharged him from the contempt proceedings.

Case Title: Court on its own motion v. Brijesh Shukla