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 contempt
On
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.
“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 11
The 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.
File a status report
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.