The Supreme Court today has disposed of a plea arising from proceedings before the Madhya Pradesh High Court concerning an alleged attempt to influence a sitting judge in an illegal mining matter.

The controversy stems from a writ petition before the High Court, where a judge had recorded that a BJP MLA had attempted to contact him regarding a pending case, which caused him to recuse himself. Taking note, the High Court held that the conduct could amount to criminal contempt and directed the initiation of suo motu contempt proceedings.

Before the Supreme Court, the petitioner contended that the High Court initiated contempt proceedings on his writ but did not allow him to be heard. “It was on my petition that cognizance was taken… I am only requesting that let me be heard,” he submitted.

He further alleged inaction despite repeated representations, pressing for a wider investigation into alleged illegal mining worth “thousand crores.”

The Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, however, made it clear that contempt proceedings are independent in nature, observing that the petitioner has no automatic right to participate. The bench remarked, “Other reliefs are absolutely premature… first concentrate on proving that misconduct.”

When the petitioner insisted on being heard, the Court advised him to place his material before the High Court itself: “Your material you should supply to the High Court… why do you want to come to the Supreme Court?”

The bench also cautioned against expanding the issue, noting concerns about turning it into a broader or “political” dispute.

Ultimately, the petitioner chose to withdraw the plea. The Supreme Court disposed of the matter with liberty to do so, allowing him to assist the High Court in the pending contempt proceedings.