The Jharkhand High Court has accepted the unconditional apology of an advocate accused of contempt for his conduct during court proceedings and has dropped the proceedings against him.
The case stemmed from the contemptuous behaviour of the advocate after his anticipatory bail application was rejected during court proceedings in Anil Kumar v. State of Jharkhand, SLP (Crl.) No. 4862 of 2025.
Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi, while hearing the petition, noted that the advocate had tendered a sincere and unqualified apology both through counsel and in person, assuring the Court that such conduct would not be repeated.
The Court referred to settled principles governing acceptance of apology under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, observing that a genuine expression of remorse and assurance of future restraint may be accepted if the Court is satisfied that the apology is bona fide.
Holding that punishment for contempt serves only a limited purpose and that sincere repentance better serves the cause of justice, the Court accepted the apology and expunged the adverse remarks made in its earlier order dated September 25, 2025.
Further, the Court requested the Jharkhand State Bar Council not to proceed against the advocate in light of the apology being accepted.
Appearances
Petitioner- Mrs. Ritu Kumar, Mr. Dheeraj Kumar, and Mr. Navin Kumar Raj, Advocates
State- Mrs. Kumari Rashmi, APP
Reference was made to S. Mulgaokar reported in 1978 (3) SCC 339.
