The Supreme Court Bar Association condemned a litigant’s disruptive conduct in court and urged the Union government to frame guidelines regulating the recording, editing and circulation of courtroom proceedings and videos to preserve judicial decorum and prevent misuse.
A day after a litigant caused an uproar before a Bench of the Supreme Court by throwing papers and using abusive language during proceedings, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) strongly condemned the incident.
It also urged the Union government to frame guidelines to regulate the recording, editing, and circulation of courtroom proceedings and videos.
In a statement released on July 10, the SCBA described the litigant’s conduct before Justices K.V. Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe as abusive and disrespectful. It said that any attempt to abuse, threaten, or disrupt judicial proceedings undermines the very foundation of the administration of justice.
The statement said,
“The dignity and majesty of the Court must be respected at all times. Any attempt to abuse, threaten or disrupt judicial proceedings is wholly unacceptable and strikes at the very foundation of the administration of justice,”
The Bar body stressed that court proceedings must be treated as sacred.
It called for appropriate guidelines governing recording, clipping, editing, and circulation of courtroom proceedings and videos, arguing that such rules are necessary to prevent misuse and protect the dignity of the judiciary.
It further urged the Union government to consider suitable executive and legal steps to stop the spread of videos or edited clips that allegedly diminish the dignity of courts or weaken public confidence in the justice delivery system.
Separately, the Supreme Court Arguing Counsel Association (SCACA) submitted a representation to the Chief Justice of India. It condemned the incident and sought stringent action against all individuals, directly or indirectly, involved in what it described as a conspiracy to undermine the judiciary.
The association alleged that selective circulation of courtroom clips alongside defamatory commentary on social media has become a recurring practice, posing a threat to public trust in the judicial institution.
Meanwhile, an unusual and dramatic scene unfolded inside the Supreme Court of India. A litigant appearing in person was reportedly forcibly escorted out after allegedly hurling abuses at the Bench and throwing his case papers during the hearing of his petition challenging an order of the Allahabad High Court.
The incident took place before a Bench consisting of Justice K.V. Viswanathan and Justice Alok Aradhe, temporarily disrupting proceedings as security personnel intervened to restore order.
The petitioner, who opted to argue his case without legal representation, reportedly adopted an aggressive approach from the start of the hearing. As soon as the matter was called up, he demanded that the Supreme Court direct the registration of a criminal case against a police officer in Lucknow.
The petitioner persisted with his arguments but then abruptly threw a bundle of papers toward the Bench, causing documents to scatter across the courtroom. Security personnel moved in right away to restrain him while he continued shouting an abusive remark directed at the Chief Justice of India.
However, despite the disruption, the Bench did not proceed with any coercive measures or initiate contempt proceedings.
After the hearing concluded, Justice K.V. Viswanathan delivered the decision and remarked,
“We do not propose to take any action against him. As far as the merits of the case are concerned, we have perused the records. We find no good grounds to interfere with the impugned order. The Special Leave Petition is dismissed.”
Contempt of court is explained in Section 2 of the Contempt of Courts Act. Contempt can be broadly classified into two categories: civil and criminal.