Sydney-based Indian Woman Abuses Delhi HC Judge, Contempt Issued

Recently, the Delhi High Court has taken a suo moto cognizance of a contempt case against Anita Kumari Gupta, a woman residing in Sydney, Australia for making “derogatory remarks”, amounting to contempt of court in a recent proceeding during the virtual conferencing.

What was the case?

A single-judge bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna was hearing a 2011 lawsuit filed by the plaintiff, Gupta who was seeking partition and injunction concerning a suit property in Delhi’s Pusa Road. During the proceedings held on January 10 when the case was at the stage of final arguments, Gupta abused the court.

Following this, the court initiated a suo motu contempt case against her for being patently contemptuous and disregarding the dignity of the court. Justice Krishna said, “Such derogatory remarks made by the plaintiff to denigrate the Court are patently contemptuous and show the complete disregard to the dignity of the Court, although the counsels representing respective parties were present and had agreed to the date given i.e., 16.04.2024 for final arguments. Keeping in view such derogatory remarks lowering the dignity of the Court, the Suo Moto Contempt is taken. Keeping in view such derogatory remarks lowering the dignity of the Court, the Suo Moto Contempt is taken.”

The judge has issued a show-cause notice to Gupta, the plaintiff, and asked her to appear in person before the court for their next date, scheduled in April. 

Furthermore, the court has issued a directive to the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Delhi to impound her passport/VISA when she comes for the next hearing. It has asked them to ensure that she isn’t permitted to leave the country without the direction of the HC.

“The High Commission of India at Canberra, Australia is also directed to communicate this Order to the plaintiff who is stated to be living at present in Sydney, Australia, through the Consulate General of India, Sydney, Australia,” the HC further said.