The Supreme Court heard a plea against the Jharkhand High Court’s suo motu initiation of criminal contempt proceedings against a practising advocate after a video clip showing a heated exchange with a single judge during court proceedings went viral on social media.

Observing that the lawyer must either contest the proceedings or apologise, the Chief Justice of India noted that the High Court had taken cognisance after the incident was widely reported online. Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the advocate had no intention to disrespect the judge or obstruct proceedings and was deeply repentant.

Disposing of the petition, the Supreme Court granted liberty to the petitioner to file an affidavit of unconditional apology before the Jharkhand High Court and requested the High Court to consider the apology sympathetically and pass appropriate orders.