The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a notice under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 to Advocate Ravneet Kaur, who appeared as petitioner-in-person, for making contemptuous and scandalous remarks in her pleadings seeking preponement of her main petition.
Justice Harpreet Singh Brar observed that the petitioner’s application, filed under Section 482 CrPC (now Section 528 BNSS), and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, contained serious allegations against sitting judges naming them and alleging deliberate delay of proceedings to pressure her into withdrawing complaints against IPS officer Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. The Court noted that such remarks amounted to an attempt to browbeat the judiciary and undermined the integrity of the justice delivery system.
While the petitioner contended that her matter was not being heard to harass her, the Court reviewed the case history and found no basis for her claims. It highlighted that her matter had been consistently listed and adjourned either at her request or due to administrative reasons, including the recusal of an earlier bench. The Court also offered her assistance from the High Court Legal Aid Services.
Drawing upon the Supreme Court’s ruling in M.Y. Shareef v. Judges of the High Court of Nagpur, the Court underscored that even advocates may be held liable for contempt if they file pleadings with scandalous content, especially when it appears to be an intentional attempt to interfere with the administration of justice.
Although the application for preponement was ultimately allowed in the interest of justice, the Court deemed it appropriate to initiate contempt proceedings in view of the baseless and reckless imputations made in the petition. The matter is now listed for further hearing on August 29, 2025.
Appearances:Â
Ms. Ravneet Kaur- petitioner in person