Chandigarh, July 22 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a show-cause notice to an advocate for allegedly making “scandalous” remarks and attempting to intimidate High Court judges and a judicial officer, prompting the court to consider contempt proceedings.
Justice Harpreet Singh Brar, who issued the notice, described the advocate’s assertions as a “direct assault on the integrity of the adjudicatory system.” The order came in response to an application filed by the advocate, who appeared in person, seeking to advance the hearing of her pending case, currently listed for October 31.
The court observed that the language used in her plea went beyond procedural arguments and ventured into territory that could damage public confidence in the judiciary. “She has made allegations suggesting justice was deliberately denied to harass her and pressure her into withdrawing complaints against an IPS officer,” Justice Brar noted in the order.
The advocate also indicated she might move the Supreme Court and include two High Court judges and an Additional Sessions Judge as parties in a Special Leave Petition (SLP). The judge held that such actions amounted to an effort to “browbeat the judges” and “intimidate the adjudicatory authority.”
“A perusal of the record indicates no reasons that could justify making such scandalous allegations… she has also made scandalous remarks attacking the integrity of the justice dispensation mechanism. Thus, this court is constrained to note that the pleadings of the petitioner are per se contemptuous,” the order stated.
Justice Brar emphasized that such conduct “undermines the dignity of the rule of law” and risks eroding public faith in the judicial process.
While the court found no sufficient grounds to reschedule the hearing, it still considered the matter on the advocate’s insistence and even offered her legal aid assistance through the High Court Legal Aid Services.
The advocate has been asked to respond to the show-cause notice and explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against her.
