Supreme Court of India
RAJENPRA SAILversusMADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT BAR ASSOCIATION AND ORS.
- Citation
- 2005 INSC 225
- Decided
- 21 April 2005
- Disposal
- Disposed off
- Bench
- Y K SABHARWAL
Holding
The Court held that the published statements constituted gross criminal contempt, accepted the apologies of the newspaper staff with caution and set aside their sentences, while reducing Sail's sentence to one week imprisonment.
Summary
The Supreme Court examined contempt proceedings against Rajendra Sail, who had called a High Court judgment "rubbish" and alleged bias and bribery by the judges, and against the editor, printer, publisher and chief sub‑editor of the newspaper that published his statements. The Court held that such scurrilous remarks went beyond fair criticism and tended to scandalise the judiciary, constituting criminal contempt under Section 2(c) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. While the newspaper functionaries' unconditional apologies were accepted with a caution and their six‑month sentences set aside, Sail's contempt conviction was upheld but his sentence reduced from six months to one week in view of his background and public‑interest work. The judgment reaffirmed that criticism of judicial decisions must be dignified, free of personal attacks, and must not undermine public confidence in the courts.
Issues considered
- Whether the statements made by Rajendra Sail and published in the newspaper amounted to criminal contempt of court.
- Whether the unconditional apologies tendered by the newspaper staff merit acceptance and mitigation of their sentences.
- Whether the conviction and sentence of Rajendra Sail for contempt should be upheld or modified.
Legislation cited
- Constitution of Indias. Article 19(1)(a)
- Contempt of Courts Act, 1971s. 2(c)
Subjects
criminal contemptfreedom of pressfair criticismscurrilous aspersionsjudicial dignityArticle 19(1)(a)media responsibilityjudicial independencecontempt of court Act
Judgment
A RAJENPRA SAIL
V.
MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT
BAR ASSOCIATION AND ORS.
APRIL 21, 2005
B
[Y.K. SABHARWAL AND TARUN CHATTERJEE, JJ.]
Contempt of Courts Act, 1971-Section 2(c) :
C Criminal contempt-Speech by contemnor published in a newspaper
calling a decision of High Court as rubbish and commenting that the Judge
was prejudiced and was bribed and that the Judge about to retire is available
for sale-Such criticism ofjudiciary not faif- and reasonable and has tendency
to affect its dignity and prestige-Its publication amounts to gross contempt
of court.
D
Criminal contempt-Report published in a newspaper terming the
decision of High Court as rubbish, commenting that the Judges delivering the
said decision were prejudiced and bribed-Contempt proceedings against
Editor, printer and publisher of newspaper-They tendered apology pleading
E that news report was published on account ofoversight and their unconditional
apology was published even before initiation ofcontempt proceedings-Held:
Apologies accepted with a caution to be more careful and responsible in
exercise of their duty towards the public, in providing fair, accurate and
impartial information.
p Fair and reasonable criticism-What is-Held: Criticism which is likely
to interfere with administration ofjustice or would undermine the confidence
which public reposes in court oflaw is not fair and reasonable-Administration
ofjustice.
Scurrilous aspersions-Casting oj on an individual Judge-Power of
G Court to punish for contempt of court-Exercise of-Held: Court to exercise
such power not to vindicate the dignity and honour of the individual Judge
who is personally attacked or scandalised, but to uphold the majesty of the
law and of the administration ofjustice.
H 816
RAJENDRA SAIL ''·MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT BAR ASSON. 817
Criminal contempt-Apology tendered by contemnor who made scurrilous A
aspersions on a Judge-Acceptance of-Held: Contemnor, law graduate having
been in public life for considerab,'e time cannot plead sympathy-Acceptance
of apology not called for-But having regard to the background and
organization to which he belongs, which brought many Pllsfor general public
good, sentence of six month reduced to sentence of one week simple B
imprisonment.
Judgment and judiciary-Criticism of-Held: Judgment of court is a
public document and open to criticism but in a dignified manner without
attributing motives.
Constitution of India, 1950 : c
Article 19(/)(a)-Freedom of press-Exercise of-Held: Has to be in
the interest of public good and with utmost responsibility-Any attempt to
make news out of nothing just for sake of sensitization has to be deprecated
Appellant 'R' was the prosecution witness in the murder trial in D
which accused were found guilty. On appeal, High Court acquitted the
accused, whereupon appellant delivered a speech in a rally and interview
to the correspondent of the newspaper 'Hitavada'. Based on the speech
and interviews, news item was published. The news report termed the
said decision of High Court as rubbish and commented that a Judge who E
was on the verge of retirement should not have been entrusted with the
responsibility of dealing with such a crucial case; that the Judges were
already prejudiced and were bribed and that a Judge who is to retire is
for sale and that the Judiciary has no guts, no honesty and is not powerful
enough to punish wealthy people.
F
This news item led to contempt proceedings against the appellants ·
who are Editor, printer, publisher, chief sub-editor, Desk incharge of
newspaper. They all tendered unconditional and unqualified apologies.
The High Court summoned the audio and video recording of the speech
delivered by 'R' as well as the transcript of the speech as contained in G
those recordings and held that the comments made by 'R' did not amount
to fair and reasonable criticism of the judgment and that the contents of
the news report scandalized the court. The appellants were held guilty of
contempt of court and sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment for six
months. Hence the present appeal.
H
818 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] 3 S.C.R.
A Disposing of the appeals, the Court
HELD : I. The editor, printer and publisher and the Chief sub-
editor have very candidly not made any attempt to justify the actions of
the newspaper in publishing the news report and have prayed only for
acceptance of the apology. They had tendered apology, even before the
B receipt of notice of initiation of contempt action by publishing it
prominently in the front page of newspaper 'Hitavada'. Having regard
to the facts and legal principles, their apologies are accepted with a
caution that in future they should be more careful and responsible in
exercise of their duty towards the public, in providing fair, accurate and
C impartial information. In this view, the sentence awarded to them is set
aside. f832-D, E; 835-C)
2.1. The foundation of the judiciary is the trust and the confidence
of the people in its ability to deliver fearless and impartial justice. When
the foundation itself is shaken by acts which tend to create disaffection
and disrespect for the authority of the court by creating distrust in its
D working, the ·edifice of the judicial system gets eroded. It is for this
purpose that the courts are entrusted with extraordinary powers of
punishing for contempt of court, those who indulge in acts, which tend to
undermine the authority of law and bring it in disrepute and disrespect
by scandalising it. When the court exercises this power, it does not do so
E to vindicate the dignity and honour of the individual Judge who is
personally attacked or scandalised, but to uphold the majesty of the law
and of the administration of justice. A question whether there is contempt
of court or not, is a serious one. The court is both the accuser as well as
the iudge of the accusation. The court has to act with as great
circumspection. (824-E-G; 831-B]
F
Andre Paul Terence Ambardv. Attorney-General, AIR (1936) PC 141;
Aswini Kumar Ghose and Anr. v. Arabinda Bose and Anr., AIR (1953) SC
75; Brahma Prakash Sharma and Ors. v. The State of UP., AIR (1954) SC
1O; Perspective Publications Pvt. Ltd and Anr. v. The State of Maharashtra,
AIR (1971) SC 221; Shri C.K Daphtary and Ors. v. Shri O.P. Gupta and
G Ors., (1971) l SCC 626; R.C. Cooper v. Union of India, {1970) 2 SCC 298;
In Re: S. Mulgaokar, (1978) 3 SCC 339; P.N. Duda v. P. Shiv Shanker and
Ors., (19881 3 SCC 167; In Re: Roshan Lal Ahuja, (1993) Supp. (4) SCC
446; In Re: Ajay Kumar Pandey, (19961 6 SCC 510; Dr. D.C. Saxena v.
Hon'ble the ChiefJustice ofIndia, (199615 SCC 216; J.R. Parashar, Advocate
H and Ors. v. Prasant Bhushan, Advocate and Ors., (2001] 6 SCC 735; In Re:
RAJENDRA SAIL v. MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT BAR ASSON. 8 I9
Arundhati Roy, (2002) 3 SCC 343; S. Abdul Karim v. MK. Prakash and A
Ors., [1976) 1 SCC 975; MR. Parashar and Ors. v. Dr. Farooq Abdullah
and Ors., [I 984) 2 SCC 343; Mrityunjoy Das and Anr. v. Sayed Hasibur
Rahaman and Ors., [2001) 3 SCC 739; Bramblevale Ltd Re, (1969) 3 All
ER 1062 (CA); Chhotu Ram v. Urvashi Gulati and Anr., [2001) 7 SCC 530;
Anil Ratan Sarkar v. Hirak Ghosh, (20021 4 SCC 21; Radha Mohan Lal v.
Rajasthan High Court (Jaipur Bench), [2003) 3 SCC 427 and Bijay Kumar B
Mahanty v. Jadu Alias Ram Chandra Sahoo, AIR (2003) SC 657, referred
to.
2.2. The judgments of courts are public documents and can be
commented upon, analyzed and criticized, but it has to be in dignified C
manner without attributing motives. The power and reach of the media,
both print as well as electronic is tremendous. It has to be exercised in
the interest of the public good. A free press is OJJe of the very important
pillars· on which the foundation· of Rule of Law and democracy rests. At
the same time, it is also necessary that freedom must be exercised with
utmost responsibility. It must not be abused. It should not be treated as a D
licence to denigrate other institutions. Any attempt to make news out of
nothing just for the sake of sensitization has to be deprecated. When
there is temptation to sensationalize particularly at the expense of those
institutions or persons who form the nature of the office cannot reply,
such temptation has to be resisted and if not it would be the task of the E
law to give clear guidance as to what is and what is not permitted. While
the media can, in the public interest, resort to reasonable criticism of a
judicial act or the judgment of a court for public good or report any such
statements, it should refrain from casting scurrilous aspersions on, or
impute improper motives or personal bias to the judge. Nor should they
scandalize the court or the judiciary as a whole, or make personal F
allegations of lack of ability or integrity against a judge. It should be
kept in mind that Judges do not defend their decisions in public and if
citizens disrespect the· persons laying down the law, they cannot be
expected to respect the law laid down by them. The only way the Judge
can defend a decision is by the reasoning in the decision itself and it is G
certainly open to being criticized by anyone who thinks that it is erroneous.
(833-A-B; 834-C-G(
Re Harijai Singh and Anr., (1996) 6 SCC 466; Prem Surana v.
Additional Munsif and Judicial Magistrate and Anr., (2002) 6 SCC 722 and
MC. Mehta v. Union ofIndia and Ors. In the Matter of: Mis. Ashok Chhabra H
820 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] 3 S.C.R.
A and Co., (20031 5 sec 376, referred to.
3.1. The speech that judgment is rubbish and deserves to be thrown
in a dustbin cannot be said to be a fair criticism of judgment. These
comments have transgressed the limit., of fair and bonafide criticism and
have a clear tendency to affect the dignity and prestige of the judiciary.
B It has a tendency to create an apprehension in the minds of the people
regarding the integrity, ability or fairness of the Judge and to deter
actual and prospective litigants from placing complete reliance upon the
court's administration of justice, it is also likely to cause embarrassment
in the mind of the Judge himself in the discharge of his judicial duties.
C When there is danger of grave mischief being done in the matter of
administration of justice, the animadversion cannot be ignored and viewed
with placid equanimity. If the criticism is likely to interfere with due
administration of justice or undermine the confidence which the public
reposes in the Courts of law as Courts of justice, the criticism would.
cease to be fair and reasonable criticism but would scandalise Courts and
D substantially interfere with administration of justice.
(836-G, H; 837-A-BI
•
3.2. The speech seen in the light of the audio and video recording
and the transcript speaks for itself and has the effect of lowering the
dignity and authority of the court and an affront to the majesty of justice.
E The contention that no opportunity was given to rebutthe contents of the
audio and video recording of the speech cannot be accepted because the
court has, iii fact, directed supply of copies of transcript of the speech
prepared from the audio and video recording and had given opportunity
to file objections to it, which has not been availed by 'R'. (837-E-F]
F. 3.3. Having regard to the aforesaid facts of the case, the High Court
has refused to accept the apology tendered by 'R'. The contention that
statements should be understood in the context in which they have been
made as he was emotionally disturbed because of the judgment of the
High Court, cannot be accepted. It is borne out from record that 'R' is a
G law graduate and has been in public life for considerable time and has in
fact approached the court on several occasions by filing public interest
litigations in different matters. With this background, he should have
been cautious and moderate and should have known the limits upto which
he could go while criticizing the judgment of the High Court. The
contemptuous statements cannot be regarded as an ill-tempered or
H emotional outburst of an uninformed person. Having given the serious
,
I
1--
RAJENDRA SAIL v. MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT BARASSON. [SABHARWAL, J.] 821
and anxious consideration to the facts of the case and submissions made, A
the acceptance of apology and sympathy in a case like this would be
uncalled for. The sentence awarded to 'R' by the High Court having
regard to nature of contempt cannot be said to be unjustified. But having
regard to his background and the organization to which he belongs which,
it is claimed, brought before various courts including this court many
public interest litigations for general public good, the ends of justice B
would be met if sentence of six months is reduced to sentence of one week
simple imprisonment. (837-G, H; 838-A-C]
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal Nos. 398-
399 of 2001.
c
From the Judgment and Order dated 19.3.200 I of the Madhya Pradesh
High Court at JabalPur in C.P. Nos. 11 and 12 of 1998.
WITH
Crl.A. Nos. 403-404 and 461-462 of 200 l. D
Sanjay Parikh, Naveen R. Nath, Ms. Lalit Mohini Bhat, Ms. Anitha
Shenoy, Ms. Hetu Arora and Sharan Dev Singh Thakur for the Appellant in
C.A. Nos. 398-99/01.
K.K. Venugopal and A.K. Sanghi with him for the Appellant in C.A. E
Nos. 403-404/200 l.
In-person (NP) for the Appellant in C.A. Nos. 461-462/200 I.
Shiv Sagar Tiwari, Ms. Jaishree Tandon, Sakesh Kumar and Ms.
Kamakshi S. Mehlwal for the Respondents. F
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
Y.K. SABHARWAL, J. In the murder trial of Shankar Guha Niyogi,
a trade union leader, the accused were found guilty and sentenced to
imprisonment for life except one who was awarded death sentence. On appeal, G
the High Court reversed the trial rourt judgment and acquitted the accused.
A news report was published in newspaper 'Hitavada' on 4th July, 1998
under the caption 'Sail terms High Court decision in Niyogi murder case as
rubbish'. That report was based on the speech delivered by appellant Rajendra
Sail in a rally organized to commemorate the death of Shankar Guha Niyogi H
822 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005) 3 S.C.R.
A and interview given by him soon after the speech to appellant Ravi Pandey,
the correspondent of the newspaper.
The news report termed the decision as rubbish and commented that a
Judge who was on verge of retirement should not have been entrusted with
the responsibility of dealing with such a crucial case. It was also alleged that
B the Judges who decided the matter have belittled the respect for judiciary by
pronouncing biased and f1:lbbish judgment. The news report also quoted
Rajendra Sail as saying that he was a key witness in the murder trial and in ..
spite of engaging a \'fell known advocate as public prosecutor no body could ·
have made much difference when the judges were already prejudiced and
C that he had substantial evidence to prove that one of the judges who decided
the matter was bribed and that the judge possessed properties disproportionate
to his income.
The aforesaid news item led to initianon of contempt action on an
application filed by Madhya Pradesh High Court Bar Association with the
D consent of Advocate General against the Editor, Printer and Publisher, Chief
Sub-Editor and Desk In-charge of the newspaper at Bhilai besides Burea
Chief of 'Hitavada' at Bhilai.
In answer to contempt, while tendering unconditional and unqualified
apologies, the stand of the Editor and Printer and Publisher of the newspaper
E before the High Court was that the news report was published on account of
oversight and they were unaware of the publication'. It was further stated that
even before receipt of notice for contempt, on their own, they published
unconditional apology in the newspaper on the front page on 6th August.
1998. The letters of apology were also sent to the Chief Justice and the
concerned judges of the High Court as well as to the Madhya Pradesh High
F Court Bar Association. The Chief Sub-Editor and Desk-in-charge took the
stand that the news report was received from the trainee correspondent Ravi
Pandey and he did not apply his mind seriously to the news report as the page
on which the said report was to be printed was shown to him at the last stage
of the printing deadline of that day and under these circumstances he permitted
G the page to be printed and published.
Appellant Ravi Pandey took the stand that at the relevant time he was
working as a trainee correspondent and was present at the venue where
Rajendra Sail delivered the speech and had a conversation with him in which
he reiterated the substance of the speech delivered by him. He further pleaded
H that being a trainee correspondent he was unaware of the legal implications
RAJENDRA SAIL v. MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT BARASSON. [SABHARWAL, J.] 823
of printing and publishing against the judiciary and the judges. He stood by A
his stand that the news report was based on the speech delivered and the
subsequent conversation he had with Rajendra Sail. An unconditional and
unqualified apology was also tendered by him.
Rajendra Sail denied that he gave any interview to the correspondent
and alleged that the news report was false, prejudiced and intended to malign B
his image in the eyes of judiciary and public. It was further stated that he was
not satisfied with the judgment of the High Court in Niyogi murder case and
had only made a bona fide analysis of the judgment without bringing into
disrepute the judiciary in general and the judges in particular. It was claimed
that he expressed only his personal grief and emotional trauma that arose out C
of the murder of Shankar Guba Niyogi, who was his close associate and that
he was also a key prosecution witness in the murder trial. He further took the
stand that he is ready to tender an apology, if his plea does not satisfy the
court.
The High Court summoned the audio and video recording of the speech D
delivered by Rajendra Sail as well as the transcript of the speech as contained
in those recordings. The Court directed the supply of the copies of the transcript
to the contemnors and gave opportunity to file objections. The contemptuous
portions of the transcript as extracted by the High court in its judgment
contains statements which go to say that,
E
(a) Judgment of the murderers of Niyogi was rendered within a
year and the murderers have been acquitted because they were
moneyed and wealthy people.
(b) Judgment has been read by him, which is rubbish and is fit to
be thrown in dust bin F
(c) He would also get an enquiry held as regard to the conduct of
one of the judges who delivered the judgment, as that particular
judge is to retire within a month.
(d) A judge of High Court or Supreme Court who is about to retire
should not be assigned any important case since two years before G
his retirement, as a judge who is to retire is for sale.
(e) Judiciary has no guts, no honesty and is not powerful enough to
punish wealthy people.
After juxtaposing the news report with the audio and video recording H
824 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] 3 S.C.R.
A as well as the transcript of the speech, the High Court found that there was
'inkling' in Rajendra Sail's speech about his thoughts regarding the judgment
and the judges. The court came to the conclusion that the attending
circumstances i.e. the recordings of the speech as well as the transcript goes
to show that he had conversation with the correspondent and the contemptuous
B statements reported in the news report were in fact uttered by him. The High
Court also concluded that the comments made by him did not amount to fair
and reasonable criticism of the judgment and that the contents of the news
report scandalized the court.
The High Court, by the impugned judgment and order, refused to accept
C the apology tendered by the contemnors and held the appellants guilty of
contempt of court and sentenced each of them to under go simple imprisonment
for six months.
The principles relating to the law of contempt are well settled.
D It has been repeatedly held that the rule of law is the foundation of the
democratic society. The judiciary is the guardian of the rule of law. The
confidence, which the people repose in the courts of justice, cannot be allowed
to be tarnished, diminished or wiped out by contemptuous behaviour of.any
person. If the judiciary is to perform its duties and functions effectively and
true to the spirit with which they are sacredly entrusted, the dignity and
E authority of the courts have to be respected and protected at all costs. The
foundation of the judiciary is the trust and the confidence of the people in its
ability to deliver fearless and impartial justice. When the foundation itself is
shaken by acts which tend to create disaffection and disrespect for the authority
of the court by creating distrust in its working, the edifice of the judicial .--,
F system gets eroded. It is for this purpose that the courts are entrusted with
extraordinary powers of punishing for contempt of court, those who indulge
in acts, which tend to undermine the authority of law and bring it in disrepute
and disrespect by scandalising· it. When the court exercises. this power, it does
not do so to vindicate the dignity and honour of the individual Judge who is
personally attacked or scandalised, but to uphold the majesty of the law and
G of the administration of justice.
The Law as it stands today is same as has been aptly put by Lord Atkin .. 1.1i-f
in Andre Paul Terence Ambard v. Attorney-General AIR{l936) PC'I41"··:
. ~3~ :dl
"no wrong is committed by any member of the public who exercises
H the ordinary right of criticising in good faith in private or' public the
RAJENDRA SAIL "·MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT BARASSON. [SABHARWAL, J.] 825
public act done in the seat of justice. The path of criticism is a public A
way: the wrongheaded are permitted to err therein: provided that
members of the public abstain from imputing improper motives to
those taking part in the administration of justice, and are genuinely
exercising a right of criticism and not acting in malice or attempting
to impair the administration of justice, they are immune. Justice is not
a cloistered virtue: she must be allowed to suffer the scrutiny and B
respectful even though outspoken comments of ordinary men".
In Aswini Kumar Ghose and Anr. v. Arabinda Bose and Anr., AIR
(I953) SC 75 it was held that the Supreme Court is never over-sensitive to
public criticism; but when there is danger of grave mischief being done in the C
matter of administration of justice, the animadversion cannot be ignored and
viewed with placid equanimity. The path of criticism is a public way: the
wrong-headed are permitted to err therein; provided that members of the
public abstain from imputing improper motives to those taking part in the
administration of justice, and are genuinely exercising a right of criticism and
not acting in malice or attempting to impair the administration of justice, they D
are immune. Justice is not a cloistered virtue; she must be allowed to suffer
the scrutiny and respectful even though outspoken comments of ordinary
men.
In Brahma Prakash Sharma and Ors. v. The State of U.P., AIR (1954)
SC IO it was held that, if the publication of the disparaging statement is E
calculated to interfere with the due course of justice or proper administration
of law by l>Jch court, it can be punished summarily as contempt is a wrong
done to the public. It will be injury to the public if it tends to create an
apprehension in the minds of the people regarding the integrity, ability or
fairness of the Judge or to deter actual and prospective litigants from placing p
complete reliance upon the court's administration of justice, or if it is likely
to cause embarrassment in the mind of the Judge himself in the discharge of
his judicial duties. It is well established that it is not necessary to prove
affirmatively that there has been an actual interference with the administration
of justice by reason of such defamatory statement; it is enough if it is likely,
or tends in a~y way, to interfere with the proper administration of law. G
In Perspective Publications Pvt. ltd. and Anr. v. The State of
Maharashtra, AIR ( 1971) SC 221, a bench of three judges after referring to
the leading cases on the subject held that :
~ ·_; ~. ~· "(I) The summary jurisdiction by way of contempt must be exercised H
826 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005) 3 S.C.R.
A with great care and caution and only when its exercise is necessary
for the proper administration of law and justice.
(2) It is open to anyone to express fair, reasonable and legitimate
criticism of any act or conduct of a Judge in his judicial capacity or
even to make a proper and fair comment on any decision given by
B him because "justice is not a cloistered virtue and she must be allowed
to suffer the scrutiny and respectful, even though outspoken, comments
of .ordinary men".
(3) A distinction must be made between a mere libel of defamation
of a Judge and what amounts to a contempt of the court. The test in
c each case would be whether the. impugned publication is a mere
defamatory attack on the Judge or whether it is calculated to interfere
with the due course of justice or the proper administration of law by
·his court. It is only in the latter case that it will be punishable as
contempt. Alternatively the test will be whether the wrong is done to
the Judge personally or it is done to the public. The publication of a
D disparaging statement will be an injury to the public if .it tends to
create an apprehension in the minds of the people regarding the
integrity, ability or fairness of the judge or to deter actual and
prospective litigants from placing complete reliance upon the court's
administration of justice or if it is likely to cause embarrassment in
E the mind of the judge himself in the discharge of his judicial duties."
In Shri C.K Daphtary and Ors. v. Shri 0. P. Gupta and Ors., [1971)
SCC 626 it was said that, a scurrilous attack on a Judge in respect of a
judgment or past co~duct has adverse effect on the due administration of
justice. This sort of attack in a country like ours has the inevitable effect of
F undennining the confidence of the public in the Judiciary. If confidence in
the Judiciary goes, the due administration of justice definitely suffers. There
can be no justification/of contempt of Court.
In R.. C. Cooper v. Union of India, [1970] 2 SCC 298 giving a word of
caution to those who embark on the path of criticizing the judgment of the
G Court, it was said :
"there is no doubt that the Court like any other institution does not
enjoy immunity from fair criticism. This Court does not claim to be r
always right although it does not spare any effort to be right according
to the best of the ability, knowledge and judgment of the Judges.
H
RAJENDRA SAIL v. MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT BAR ASSON. [SABHARWAL, J.] 82 7
They do not think themselves in possession of all truth or hold that A
whenever others differ from them, it is so far error. No one is more
conscious of his limitations and fallibility .than a Judge but because
of his training and the assistance he gets from learned counsel he is
apt to avoid mistakes more than others ..... We are constrained to say
also that while fair and temperate criticism of this Court or any other
Court even if strong, may not be actionable, attributing improper B
motives, or tending to bring Judges or Courts into hatred and contempt
or obstructing directly or indirectly with the functioning of Courts is
serious contempt of which notice must and will be taken. Respect is
expected not only from those to whom the judgment of the Court is
acceptable but also from those to whom it is repugnant. Those who C
err in their criticism by indulging in vilification of the institution of
Courts, administration of justice and the instruments through which
the administration acts, should take heed for they will act at their own
peril. We think this will be enough caution to persons embarking on
the path of criticism."
D
In In re. S. Mufgaokar, [ 1978] 3 SCC 339 a three judge bench held, the
judiciary is not immune from criticism but when that criticism is based on
obvious distortion or gross misstatement and made in a manner which is
designed to lower the respect of the judiciary and destroy public confidence
in it, it cannot be ignored.
E
In P.N. Duda v. P. Shiv Shanker and Ors., [1988] 3 SCC 167 it has
been held that administration of justice and Judges are open to public criticism
and public scrutiny. Judges have their accountability to the society and their
accountability must be judged by the conscience and oath to their office i.e.
to defend and uphold the Constitution and the laws without fear and favour. F
Any criticism about the judicial system or the Judges which hampers· the
administration of justice or which erodes the faith in the objective approach
of the Judges and brings administration of justice to ridicule must be prevented.
The contempt of court proceedings arise out of that attempt. Judgments can
be criticized, motives to the Judges need not be attributed, it brings the
administration of justice into deep disrepute. Faith in the administration of G
justice is one of the pillars on which democratic institution functions and
sustains. In the free market place of ideas criticism about the judicial system
or Judges should be welcome so long as such criticism does not impair or
hamper the administration of justice. In a democracy Judges and courts alike
are, therefore, subject to criticism and if reasonable argument or criticism in H
828 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] 3 S.C.R.
A respectful language and tempered with moderation is offered against any
judicial act as contrary to law or public good, no court would treat criticism
as a contempt of court.
Jn Re. Roshan Lal Ahuja, [1993] Supp.4 SCC 446, a three judge bench
held, Judgments of the court are open to criticism. Judges and courts are not
B unduly sensitive or touchy to fair and reasonable criticism of their judgments.
Fair comments, even if, outspoken, but made without any malice or attempting ).
to impair the administration of justice and made in good faith in proper
language don't attract any punishm~nt for contempt of court. However, when
from the criticism a deliberate, motivated and calc11 lated attempt is discernible
C to bring down the image of the judiciary in the estimation of the public or
to impair the administration of justice or tend to bring the administration of
justice into disrepute the courts must bester themselves to uphold their dignity
and the majesty of law. No litigant can be permitted to overstep the limits of
fair, bona fide and reasonable criticism of a judgment and bring the courts
generally in disrepute or attribute motives to the Judges rendering the judgment.
D Perversity, calculated to undermine the judicial system and the prestige of the
court, cannot be permitted for otherwise the very foundation of the judicial
system is bound to be undermined and weakened and that would be bad not
only for the preservation of rule of law but also for the independence of
judiciary. Liberty of free expression is not to be confused with a licence to
E make unfounded, unwarranted and irresponsible aspersions against the Judges
or the courts in relation to judicial matters. No system of justice can tolerate
such an unbridled licence. Of course "Justice is not a cloistered virtue; she
must be allowed to suffer the scrutiny and respectful, even though outspoken,
comments of ordinary men", but the members of the public have to abstain
from imputing improper motives to those taking part in the administration of
F justice and exercis.., £heir right of free criticism without malice or in any way
attempting to impair to administration of justice and refrain from making any
comment which tends to scandalize the court in relation to judicial matters.
If a person committing such gross contempt of court were to get the impression
that he will get off lightly it would be a most unfortunate state of affairs. '~
Sympathy in such a case would be totally misplaced mercy has no meaning. r\'
G His action calls for deterrent punishment to that it also serves as an example
to others and there is no repetition of such contempt by any other person.
In Re. Ajay Kumar Pandey, [1996] 6 SCC 510, it has been held, any
threat of filing a complaint against the Judge in respect of the judicial
H proceedings conducted by him in his own Court is a positive attempt to
RAJENDRA SAIL v. MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT BAR ASSON. [SABHARWAL, J.] 829
interfere with the due course of administration of justice. In order that the A
Judges may fearlessly and independently act in the discharge of their judicial
functions, it is necessary that they should have full liberty to act within the
sphere of their activity. If, however, litigants and their counsel start threatening
the Judge or launch prosecution against him for what he has honestly and
bona fide done in his Court, the judicial independence would vanish eroding B
the very edifice· on which the institution of justice stands.
In DR.. D.C. Saxena v. Hon'ble the Chief Justice of India, [1996) 5
SCC 216 the Court while dealing with the meaning of the word 'scandalising',
held that it is an expression of scurrilous attack on the majesty of justice
which is calculated to undermine the authority of the courts and public C
confidence in the administration of justice. The malicious or slanderous
publication inculcates in the mind of the people a general disaffection and
dissatisfaction on the judicial determination and indisposes their mind to
obey them. If the people's allegiance to the law is so fundamentally shaken
it is the most vital and most dangerous obstruction of justice calling for
urgent action. The court further held that, D
"Scandalising the court, therefore, would mean hostile criticism of
Judges as Judges or judiciary. Any personal attack upon a Judge in
connection with the office he holds is dealt with under law of libel
or slander. Yet defamatory publication concerning the Judge as a
Judge brings the court or Judges into contempt, a serious impediment E
to justice and an inroad on the majesty of justice. Any caricature of
a Judge calculated to lower the dignity of the court would destroy,
undermine or tend to undermine public confidence in the
administration of justice or the majesty of justice. It would, therefore,
be scandalising the Judge as a Judge, in other words, imputing F
partiality, corruption, bias, improper motives to a Judge is
scandalisation of the court and would be contempt of the court. Even
imputation of lack of impartiality or fairness to a Judge in the discharge
of his official duties amounts to contempt. The gravamen of the offence
is that of lowering his dignity or authority or an affront to the majesty
of justice. When the contemnor challenges the authority of the court, G
he interferes with the performance of duties of Judge's office or
judicial process or administration of justice or generation or production
of tendency bringing the Judge or .judiciary into contempt. Section
2(c} of the Act, therefore, defines criminal contempt in V)'ider
articulation that any publication, whether by words, spoken or written, n·
830 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2005] 3 S.C.R.
A or by signs, or by visible representations, or otherwise of any matter
or the doing oi any other act whatsoever which scandalises or tends
to scandalise, or lowers or tends to lower the authority of any court;
or prejudices, or interferes or tends to interfere with, the due course
of any judicial proceeding; or interferes or tends to interfere with, or
obstructs or tends to obstruct, the administration of justice in any
B other manner, is a criminal contempt. Therefore, a tendency to
scandalise the court or tendency to lower the authority of the court
or tendency to interfere with or tendency to obstruct the administration
of justice in any manner or tendency to chall..nge the authority or
majesty of justice, would· be a criminal contempt. The offending act
c apart, any tendency if it may lead to or tends to lower the authority
of the court is a criminal contempt. Any conduct of the contemnor
which has the tendency or produces a tendency to bring the Judge or
court into contempt or tends to lower the authority of the court would
also be contempt of the court."
D In J. R. Parashar, Advocate and Ors. v Prasant Bhushan, Advocate
and Ors., [2001] 6 SCC 735] the court has observed :
"to ascribe motives to a Judge is to sow the seed of distrust in the
E
minds of the public about the administration of justice as a whole and
nothing is more pernicious in its consequences than to prejudice the
mind of the public against Judges of the court who are responsible
for implementing the law. Judges do not defend their decisions in
--
public anq if citizens disrespect the persons laying down the law,
they cannot be expected ~o respect the law laid down by them. The
only way t.he Jurlne can defend a decision is by the reasoning in the
decision itself and it is certainly open to being criticized by anyone
F who thinks that it is erroneous".
In re, Arundhati Roy, [2002] 3 SCC 343 the court held, fair criticism
of the conduct <>.fa Judge, the institution of the judiciary and its functioning
may not amoun'fto contempt if it is made in good faith and in public interest.
G To ascertain the good faith and the public interest, the courts have to see all
the surrounding circumstances including the person responsible for comments,
his knowledge in the field regarding which the comments are made and the
intended purpose sought to be achieved. All citizens cannot be permitted to
comment upon the conduct of the courts in the name of fair criticism which,
if not checked, would destroy the institution itself. Litigant losing in the court
H would be the first to impute motives to the Judges and the institution in the
RAJENDRA SAIL v. MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURTBAR ASSON. [SABHARWAL, J.] 831
name of fair criticism, which cannot be allowed for preserving the public A
faith in an important pillar of democratic set-up i.e. judiciary.
A question whether there is contempt of court or not is a serious one.
The court is both the accuser as well as the judge of the accusation. The court
has to act with as great circumspection. It is. only when a clear case of
contemptuous conduct not explainable otherwise, arises that the contemnor B
must be punished.
In S. Abdul Karim, Appellant v. M.K. Prakash and Ors., [1976) 1 SCC
975 a three judge bench held, the broad test to determine whether there is
contempt of court or not, is to see whether the act complained of was calculate,d
to obstruct or had an intrinsic tendency to interfere with the course ofjustice C
and the due administration of law. The standard of proof required for
establishing a charge of 'criminal contempt' is the same as in any other
criminal proceeding. Even if it could be urged that mens rea as such, is not
an indispensable ingredient of the offence of contempt, the courts are loath
to punish a contemnor, if the act or omission complained of, was not willful. D
In MR.Parashar and Ors. v. Dr.Farooq Abdullah and Ors., [1984) 2
SCC 343 contempt petition was filed against the Chief Minister of Jammu
and Kashmir for making certain contemptuous statements against the judiciary
and the Editor and the correspondent of a newspaper in which those statements
were published correspondent. The Chief Minister denied to have made the E
statements,. as the Editor asserted that the reports of the speeches published
in his newspaper are true. The court held that in the absence of any
preponderant c.ircumstances which, objectively, compel the acceptance of the
word of one in preference io the word of the other, it was unable to record
a positive finding that the allegation that the Chief Minister made the particular F
statements is proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
In Mrityunjoy Das and Anr. v. Sayed Hasibur Rah01n.an and Ors.,
[200 I] 3 SCC 739 the court held that a proceeding under the extraordinary
jurisdiction of the court in terms of the provisions of the Contempt of Courts
Act is quasi-criminal, and as such, the standard of proof required is that of G
a criminal proceeding and the breach shall have to be established beyond
I
reasonable doubt. The Court quoted with approval the following observations
of Lord Denning in Bramblevale ltd Re, [1969) 3 All ER 1062 (CA)] :
"A contempt of court is an offence of a criminal character. A man
may be sent to prison for it. It must be satisfactorily proved. To use H
832 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] 3 S.C.R.
A the time-honoured phrase, it must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
It is not proved by showing that, when the man was asked about it,
he told lies. There must be some further evidence to incriminate him.
Once some evidence is given, then his lies can be thrown into the
scale against him. But there must be some other evidence .... Where
there are two equally consistent possibilities open to the court, it is
B not right to hold that the offence is proved beyond reasonable doubt."
This legal position has been reiterated in the subsequent line of cases
namely, Chhotu Ram v. Urvashi Gulati and Anr., (2001] 7 SCC 530; Anil
Ratan Sarkar v. Hirak Ghosh, (2002] 4 SCC 21; Rad_ha Mohan Lal v.
C Rajasthan High Court (Jaipur Bench), (2003] 3 SCC 427 and Bijay Kumar
Mahanty v. Jadu Alias Ram Chandra Sahoo, AIR (2003) SC 657.
With this factual and legal background, we would consider the
submissions made in support of these appeals.
D The learned counsel appearing for the editor, printer and publisher and
the Chief sub-editor has very candidly not made any attempt t~ justify the
actions of the newspaper in publishing the news report. ·Learned counsel has
only argued for acceptance of the apology. Learned counsel submits that the
appellants tendered apology on 6th August, 1998 by publishing it prominently
in the front page of Hitavada, even before the receipt of notice of initiation
E of contempt action. It was pointed out that the notice of contempt though
issued on 13th· June, 1998 was received only on 11th August, 1998. The
letters of apology were sent to the Chief Justice of the High Court and to the
concerned judges as well as to the Madhya Pradesh High Court Bar Association
before receipt of contempt notice. The counsel further submits that the act of
F newspaper functionaries of having immediately tendered the apology admitting
their mistake shows that there was no intention to scandalise the judiciary but
it was case of genuine error on their part.
The reach of media, in present times of 24 hours channels, is to almost
every nook and corner of the world. Further, large number of people believe
G as correct which appears in media, print or electronic. It is also necessary to
always bear in mind that the judiciary is the· last resort of redressal for
resolution of disputes between State and subject, and high and law. The
confidence of people in the institute of judiciary is necessary to be preserved
at any cost. That is its main asset. Loss of confidence in institution of judiciary
would be end of Rule of law. Therefore, any act which has such tendency
H deserves to be firmly curbed. For rule of law and orderly society, a free
RAJENDRA SAIL v. MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT BARASSON. [SABHARWAL, J.] 833
responsible press and independent judiciary are both indispensable. Both A
have to be, therefore, protected.
The judgments of courts are public documents and can be commented
upon, analyzed and criticized, but it has to be in dignified manner without
attributing motives. Before placing before public, whether on print or electronic
media, all concerned have to see whether any such criticism has crossed the B
limits as aforesaid and if it has, then resist every temptation to make it public.
In every case, it would be no answer to plead that publication, publisher,
editor or other concerned did not know or it was done in haste. Some
mechanism may have to be devised to check the publication which has the
tendency to undermine the institution of judiciary. C
Regarding the general mechanism to be devised, it may be noted that
in United Kingdom, Robertson and Nicol on Media Law expresses the view
that media's self regulation has failed in United Kingdom. According to the
author, blatant examples of unfair and unethical media behaviour like damaging
reputation by publishing falsehoods, invasion of privacy and conducting D
partisan campaigns towards individuals and organisations have led to demands
for more statutory controls, which media industries have sought to avoid by
trumpeting the virtues of"se/fregu/ation". The media industry has established
tribunals that affect to regulate media ethics through adjudicating complaints
by members of the public who claim to have been unfairly treated by journalists
and editors. Complaints about newspapers and journals may be made to the E
Press Complaints Commission, a private body funded by newspaper
proprietors. The Press Complaints Commission has formulated a Code of
Practice to be followed by the press. It has no legal powers, but its adjudications
will be published by the paper complained against, albeit usually in small
print and without prominence. The Press Complaints Commission has been F
regarded as public relations operation, funded by media industries to give the
impression to Farliament that the media organizations can really put their
houses in ethical order without the need for legislation. Similarly the National
Union of Journalists has a code for its members, which they are all expected
to follow. However, the code is seldom enforced.
G
Having noted the views as aforesaid, in the present case, it is enough
to only note that we too have Press Council. The only aspect, we wish to
emphasis is that the present matter reinforces the need to ensure that the right
of freedom of media is exercised responsibly. It is for media itself and other
concerned to consider as how to achieve it.
H
834 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005) 3 S.C.R.
A Regarding the institution like judiciary which cannot go public, media
can consider having an internal mechanism to prevent these types of
publications. There can be an efficient and stringent mechanism to scrutinize
the news reports pertaining to such institutions which because of the nature
of their office cannot reply to publications which have tendency to bring
disrespect and disrepute to those institutions. As already noted such
B publications are likely to be believed as true. Such a mechanism can be the
answer to pleas like the one in the present case by Editor, Printer and Publisher
and correspondent that either they did not know or it was done in a hurry and
similar pleas and defences.
C The power and reach of the media, both print as well as electronic is
tremendous. It has to be exercised in the interest of the public good. A free
press is one of very important pillar on which the foundation of Rule of Law
and democracy rests. At the same time, it is also necessary that freedom must
be exercised with utmost responsibility. It must not be abused. It should not
be treated as a licence to denigrate other institutions. Sensationalism is not
D unknown. Any attempt to make news out of nothing just for the sake of
sensitization has to be deprecated. When there is temptation to sensationalize
particularly at the expense of those institutions or persons who form the
nature of the office cannot reply, such temptation has to be resisted and if not
it would be the task of the law to give clear guidance as to what is and What
0
E is not permitted~
While the media can, in the public interest, resort to reasonable criticism
of a judicial act or the judgment of a court for public good or report any such
statements; it should refrain from casting scurrilous aspersions on, or impute
improper motives or personal bias to the judge. Nor should they scandalize
F the court or the judiciary as a whole, or make personal allegations of lack of
ability or integrity against a judge. It should be kept in mind that Judges do
not defend their decisions in public and if citizens disrespect the persons
laying down the law, they cannot be expected to respect the law laid down
by them. The only way the Judge can defend a decision is by the reasoning
in the decision itself and it is certainly open to being criticized by anyone
G who thinks that it is erroneous.
This court on an earlier occasion in Re Harijai Singh and Anr., [1996]
6 SCC 466 held the Editor, Printer and Publisher and Reporter guilty of
publishing a false report against a senior judge of the Supreme Court. The
H Court expressed its displeasure at the irresponsible conduct and attitude on
RAJENDRA SAIL "· MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT BAR ASSON. [SABHARWAL, J.] 83 5
the part of the editor, publisher and the reporter who failed to make reasonable A
enquiry or a simple verification of the alleged statement. The Court held that
this cannot be regarded as a public service, but a disservice to the public by
misguiding them with false news. However, the Court accepted the
unconditional apology tendered by the editor, printer and publisher and reporter
with a warning that they should be careful in future.
B
Reverting to the present case, we have noted hereinbefore the stand of
Editor, Printer and Publisher and Chief Sub-editor including the fact that they
had accepted their mistakes at the earliest and tendered unconditional apologies,
Reporter has also tendered his unconditional apology pleading that as a trainee,
he was not aware of the legal implications. Having regard to the facts and C
legal.principles above noticed, their apologies des.erve to be accepted with a
caution that in future they should be more careful and responsible in exercise
of their duty towards the public, in providing fair, accurate and impartial
information. In this view, sentence awarded to them is set aside.
Learned counsel appearing for the appellant, Rajendra Sail also submits D
that the apology tendered by his client too deserves to be accepted. He
submits that the statements made by Rajendra Sail should be understood i~
the context in which the same were made. The context pointed out is th*
Rajendra Sail was a close associate of Mr~Shankar Guba Niyogi, who was
murdered and he was a key prosecution witness in the murder trial; he was
emotionally disturbed because of the judgment of the High Court; the news E
report was intended to malign his image and he had lodged a complaint
against this with the Press Council of India. Learned counsel further submits
that Rajendra Sail neither made statements nor gave interview attributed to
him and that the conclusions reached by the High Court that he did not deny
having termed the decision of the High Court as rubbish is not sustainable. F
Learned counsel further contends that the charge that was communicated to
the appellant was only about the contents of the news report and the
contemptuous statements extracted in the judgment of the High Court were
not part of the news report. The audio and video recordings on which
conclusions of the High Court are based were never put to him, the same
were not part of the record and no opportunity was granted to rebut the G
contents of the audio and video recording and, therefore, the contents thereof
cannot be taken as proof of the statements contained in the news report. The
appellant tendered an unconditional apology during the course of the arguments
and urged for its acceptance.
H
836 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] 3 S.C.R.
A The counsel appearing for the Madhya Pradesh High Court Bar
Association, supporting the impugned judgment, submits that having regard
to the nature of scandalous statements that were made, it is not a case where
the apology should be accepted. In support of his contention he relied on the
following decisions, Prem Surano v. Additional Munsif a~d Judicial Magistrate
B and Anr., [2002) 6 SCC 722 and MC. A!ehta v. Union of India and Ors., In
The Matter Of Mis. Ashok Chhabra & Co., [2003) 5 SCC 376.
The issue as to whether the alleged statements amount to contempt or
not does not present any difficulty in the present case. If the conclusions
reached by the High Court are correct, there can be little doubt that it is
C serious case of scandalizing the Court and not a case of fair criticism of a
judgment. Undoubtedly, judgments are open to criticism. No criticism of a
judgment, however vigorous, can amount to contempt of Court, provided it
is kept within the limits of reasonable courtesy and good faith. Fair and
reasonable criticism of a judgment which is a public document or which is
a public act of a Judge concerned with administration of justice would not
D constitute contempt. Such a criticism may fairly assert that the judgment is
incorrect or an error has been committed both with regard to law or established
facts.
It is one thing to say that a judgment ori facts as disclosed is not in
consonance with evidence or the law has not been correctly applied. But
E when it is said that the Judge had a pre-disposition to acquit the accused
because he had already resolved to acquit them or has a bias or has been
bribed or attributing such motives, lack of dispassionate and objective approach
and analysis and prejudging of the issues, the comments that a judge about
~o retire is available for sale, that an enquiry will be conducted as regards the
F conduct of the judge who delivered the judgment as he is to retire within a
month and a wild allegation that judiciary has no guts, no honesty and is not
powerful enough to punish wealthy people would bring administration of
justice into ridicule and disrepute. The speech that judgment is rubbish and
deserves to be thrown in a dustbin cannot be said to be a fair criticism of
judgment. These comments have transgressed the limits of fair and bonafide
G criticism and have a clear tendency to affect the dignity and prestige of the
judiciary. It has a tendency to create an apprehension in the minds of the
people regarding the integrity, ability or fairness of the Judge and to deter
actual and prospective litigants from placing complete reliance upon the court's
administration of justice, it is also likely to cause embarrassment in the mind
H of the Judge himself in the discharge of his judicial duties.
I
f-
RAJENDRA SAIL v. MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT BARASSON. [SABHARWAL, J.] 83 7
When there is danger of grave mischief being done in the matter of A
administration of justice, the animadversion cannot be ignored and viewed
with placid equanimity. If the criticism is likely to interfere with due
administration of justice or undermine the confidence which the public reposes
in the Courts of law as Courts of justice, the criticism would cease to be fair
and reasonable criticism but would scandalise Courts and substantially interfere
with administration of justice. Having perused the record, we are unable to B
accept the contention urged on behalf of Mr. Rajendra Sail that on facts the
conclusions arrived at by the High Court are not sustainable. Once this
conclusion is reached, clearly the publication! amounts to a gross contempt of
court. It has serious tendency to undermine the confidence of the society in
the administration. C
The news report was based on the speech delivered by Rajendra Sail
and the subsequent interview given to the correspondent. The correspondent
has asserted that the news report was based on the speech delivered by
Rajendra Sail and the subsequent interview. Rajendra Sail has, however,
denied having made the statement or having given interview to the D
correspondent. There are preponderant circumstances, which objectively
compel us to conclude that the said statements were in fact made by Rajendra
Sail and the news report has reported the same. Whether Rajendra Sail gave
interview to the correspondent or not, the speech itself, seen in the light of
the audio and video recording of the speech and the transcript of the speech E
speaks for itself and has the effect of lowering the dignity and authority of
the court and an affront to the majesty of justice.
The contention that no opportunity was given to rebut the contents of
the audio and video recording of the speech cannot be accepted because the
court has, in fact. directed supply of copies of transcript of the speech prepared F
from the audio and video recording and had given opportunity to file objections
to it, which has not been availed by Rajendra Sail.
Having regard to the aforesaid facts of the case, the High Court has
refused to accept the apology tendered by Rajendra Sail. The contention that
statements should be understood in the context in which they have been G
made as he was emotionally disturbed because of the judgment of the High
court cannot be accepted. It is borne out from record that Rajendra Sail is a
law graduate and has been in public life for considerable time and has in fact
"-pproached the court on several occasions by filing public interest litigations
in different matters. With this background, he should have been cautious and H
838 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005) 3 S.C.R.
A moderate and should have known the limits upto which he could go while
criticizing the judgment of the High Court. The contemptuous statements
cannot be regarded as an ill-tempered or emotional outburst of an uninformed
person. Having given the serious and anxious consideration to the facts of the
case and submissions made, we feel that the· acceptance of apology and
B sympathy in a case like this would be uncalled for.
The sentence awarded to Rajendra Sail by the High Court having regard
to nature of contempt cannot be said to be unjustified. But having regard to
his background and the organization to which he belongs which, it is claimed,
brought before various courts including this court many public interest
C litigation for general public good, we feel that ends of justice would be met
if sentence of six month is reduced to sentence of one week simple
imprisonment. We order accordingly.
In view of the above, sentence awarded to the appellants other than
Rajendra Sail is set aside and their apologies accepted and their appeals
D allowed accordingly. The sentence of Rajendra Sail is reduced to one week
and to that extent impugned judgment and order of the High Court is modified
.
and appeal disposed of accordingly .
D.G. Appeals disposed of.
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