Gauhati High Court convicts lawyer in criminal contempt case for derogatory remark against judicial officer and comparing her to 'Bhasmasur'

The Gauhati High Court recently convicted a lawyer in a suo motu criminal contempt case over his derogatory remarks against a judicial officer.

The division bench of Justice Kalyan Rai Surana and Justice Devashis Baruah held advocate Utpal Goswami guilty as per the provision of Section 14 of the Courts Act, 1971, and directed him to pay a bond of Rs 10,000 for being released on bail. The matter will be next heard on March 20, 2023 for sentencing.

The advocate had made several allegations against an additional district judge. He had said that the judge presided over court proceedings while wearing jewelry like a model on a ramp.

He had also stated that the judge used to control the courtroom behaving like a Gangue (sic) and also she treated her typist as something special to her.

Apart that, the advocate had alleged that the judicial officer collected eatables from the Majuli district through her office assistant and also used the official driver and car for personal work.

Several other allegations had been made to portray the concerned judicial officer in a demeaning manner. And also, the advocate had attacked her understanding of law as well as derogated her personality. He had even compared her to a character in Purana/ Mahabharat, known as 'Bhasmasur'.

During the contempt proceedings, the advocate pleaded guilty to the charge while specifically admitting that he had come to realize that respect for the Judges and Magistrates of any Court should be preserved and protected by the establishment of peace, order, harmony, and tranquility of human society.

He further admitted that he committed the crime due to insufficient knowledge of the law and its practice. Hence he tendered his unconditional apology stating that this was his first crime. Moreover, he assured the court that he shall never repeat this type of crime in the future.

Accordingly, in view of the plea of guilty taken by the advocate, court convicted him as per the provision of section 14 of the Courts Act.

Case Title: xxx v. IN RE - UTPAL GOSWAMI