A viral courtroom clash in Jharkhand sees a lawyer in the spotlight as the High Court initiates suo moto contempt proceedings. The heated exchange with Justice Rajesh Kumar sparks nationwide debate on courtroom decorum and legal conduct.
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RANCHI: In an intense courtroom confrontation, the Jharkhand High Court has initiated suo moto contempt proceedings against a lawyer following a heated exchange with a judge that took place on October 16. The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread attention and sparking debate about courtroom decorum.
The Incident
The exchange occurred in Courtroom 24 between Justice Rajesh Kumar and advocate Mahesh Tewari. Tewari was arguing a case concerning the restoration of electricity for his client, who had been facing inconvenience due to disconnection by the relevant department.
Tewari proposed that his client could deposit Rs 25,000 to clear the pending bills. Justice Kumar, however, cited precedent requiring 50% of the total amount to be deposited. After some negotiation, Tewari agreed to deposit Rs 50,000, and the matter reached a conclusion.
However, the situation escalated during the hearing of another matter. Justice Kumar referred to Tewari’s case, commenting on the manner in which Tewari had argued and even suggesting that the Jharkhand State Bar Council take cognisance of his conduct.
Tewari responded assertively, stating he would “argue in his own way” and warned the judge, “Don’t cross the limit.” This response reportedly triggered the High Court to initiate contempt proceedings against him.
The tense exchange followed, reflecting the deep frustration felt by the lawyer:
The judge said,
“This is the way your advocate will argue the case. Your logic is telling me.”
In response the lawyer said,
“I can argue in my own way. Not in your way, in which you say”
“The country is burning. The country is burning with the judiciary. These are my words…..Please don’t try to humiliate any person.”
He further said,
“I will argue in my own way. Don’t cross the limit.”…I have already practised for the last 40 years. I request that justice be done.”
He said,
“Don’t try to humiliate any advocate…..Aaap bahut jyada jante hain judge ho gye …Humlog nhi jante h vakil ho gye”
Court Response
A full bench of the Jharkhand High Court, comprising Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad, Rongon Mukhopadhyay, Ananda Sen, and Rajesh Shankar, took up the matter. The bench noted the widespread circulation of the viral video on social media and has directed Tewari to submit his response within three weeks.
