The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notices to two lawyers asking why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them for allegedly assaulting some persons from Northeast India, including a woman lawyer, in Tis Hazari courts here on May 23.
Criminal contemptOn a contempt petition moved by Liyi Marli Noshi, an activist from the Northeast, the High Court observed that a prima facie criminal contempt was made out against two lawyers, Azad Chandra Prakash Gautam and Varun Kumar Jain, who had allegedly manhandled the persons inside the court.
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“This Court is prima facie satisfied that the alleged acts against the respondents are of such nature prejudicing and interfering with the due course of judicial proceedings and administration of justice,” stated a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G. Rohni and Justice R. S. Endlaw.
Replies by August 11The Court asked the two lawyers to show cause why charges should not be framed for initiation of proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, against them. The lawyers have to submit their replies by August 11.
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The Court directed the Delhi Government to file a status report on the steps taken after registration of FIR against the lawyers. The District Judge, Tis Hazari Courts, was also directed to submit a “comprehensive and detailed” report on the May 23 incident as well as the present status of proceedings in a molestation case that had led to the incident.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the petitioners, said the instances of assault against the people from Northeast were being reported in Delhi with regularity.
The petition pointed out that some lawyers had abused and assaulted the Northeastners when they went to Tis Hazari courts for recording the statement of a victim in a molestation case.