The Supreme Court cautioned activist Pardeep Sharma against making broad, unverified allegations against judges, stating it welcomes fair criticism but “not sweeping accusations.” The Court noted he had already apologised before the High Court, which accepted his apology and closed contempt proceedings.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday made it clear that while people are free to criticise the judiciary, they must not make broad, sweeping allegations without any basis.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N Kotiswar Singh issued this caution to social activist Pardeep Sharma, who had levelled certain allegations against judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The court told the petitioner’s lawyer,
“You have raised several good causes but you can’t make sweeping allegations against anyone. We don’t mind criticism of the judiciary but it should be in the proper way.”
The lawyer informed the Supreme Court that the High Court had accepted Sharma’s unconditional apology in a contempt case and, while doing so, had asked him to plant saplings as part of the conditions.
Justice Kant reacted positively to this direction, noting that Chandigarh needs more greenery and adding that it was good that the High Court gave such an order.
The Supreme Court recorded in its order that,
“Counsel for the petitioner informs that in deference to the order dated September 15, 2025, the petitioner had tendered an unconditional apology as well as an undertaking before the high court. Demonstrating magnanimity, the high court has accepted the unconditional apology and has discharged the petitioner from the contempt proceedings.”
With this, the top court disposed of Sharma’s plea challenging the High Court’s order.
The matter earlier came before the Supreme Court on September 15, when senior advocate Devadatt Kamat told the bench that Sharma sincerely regretted the mistake of sending emails between 2023 and 2025, which went against an undertaking given by his family members before the High Court in an affidavit.
The Supreme Court noted that the High Court had reproduced this undertaking in its earlier order of May 29, 2023.
Kamat informed the bench that Sharma was ready to apologise without any conditions and that he would do so through an affidavit before both the High Court and the Supreme Court. The bench recorded this submission and said,
“Though it is explained that none of the e-mails were posted in the public domain, however, the petitioner wishes to give an undertaking that he shall not do so in future and will further pray before the high court to file/close all the e-mails earlier sent by him.”
The Supreme Court then directed that, subject to Sharma filing these undertakings before the division bench of the High Court on September 17, 2025 and before the Supreme Court as well, the High Court should consider forgiving him.
The court stated that the High Court may take a lenient approach and close the suo motu contempt proceedings without taking any harsh steps, as long as it finds the terms and conditions imposed on the petitioner appropriate.
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