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Synopsis

Indian Film Director Vivek Agnihotri has tendered an ‘unconditional apology’ before the Delhi High Court in the suo-motu criminal contempt case initiated against him in connection with relief provided by Justice S. Muralidhar to UAPA-accused Gautam Navlakha.

However, the bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh directed Agnihotri to be present in person before the Court for tendering the ‘unconditional apology’. Justice Mridul remarked, "This tweet has become a pandemic, it's just not ending". 

During the hearing today, Agnihotri was appearing through video-conferencing as he was unwell.

Taking note that Agnihotri is “indisposed”, and so, could not appear in person, the court directed him to be present on April 10.

Notably, on December 6, 2022, the division bench had said that as it is a suo moto matter and Agnihotri will have to remain present before the court on the next date of hearing i.e. March 16, 2023.

Agnihotri had filed an affidavit withdrawing his statement against the judge.

The matter pertains to the tweets allegedly made in support of an article written by S Gurumurthy against the judgment setting aside the transit remand order against Bhima Koregaon Violence accused Gautam Navlakha in 2018.

It is to be noted that on October 29, 2018, the high court issued criminal contempt notice against Gurumurthy and others for tweeting the article alleging that Justice S Muralidhar was biased in passing the order releasing Gautam Navlakha from house arrest.

The bench had issued the notice after receiving a letter from Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao alleging contempt. The article tweeted by Gurumurthy was titled, "Why has Delhi High Court Justice Muralidhar's relationship with Gautam Navlakha not been disclosed?"

However, on October 14, 2019, the Delhi High Court removed Gurumurthy from the list of respondents in contempt matter after he issued an apology.

In September 2022, the high court had proceeded against Dr. Anand Ranganathan, Vivek Agnihotri, and Swarajya magazine ex-parte after nobody appeared for them in the matter. 

Case Title: Court in its Own Motion Vs S. Gurumurthy