Supreme Court Grants Interim Stay on G Sampath Kumar’s imprisonment amid Dhoni’s contempt case, extending interim stay on the 15-day sentence by Madras High Court.
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NEW DELHI: Recently, The Supreme Court of India has granted an interim stay on the incarceration of retired IPS officer G Sampath Kumar. This action follows a contempt of court proceeding initiated by former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The extension of the interim stay on Kumar’s 15-day simple imprisonment sentence, as imposed by the Madras High Court.
A bench comprising Justices A S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan has scheduled the case for a detailed hearing on May 3, signaling the court’s intent to delve deeper into the complexities of this case.
“The interim order will remain in effect until further notice,”
-declared the bench last Thursday, signaling a temporary halt in the implementation of the high court’s directive until the Supreme Court reaches a final decision.
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On December 15 of the last year, the Madras High Court declared Kumar guilty of criminal contempt. This judgment resulted from Kumar’s alleged derogatory comments about the judiciary in a written statement submitted in response to a Rs 100-crore defamation lawsuit filed by Dhoni. The genesis of Dhoni’s defamation lawsuit itself stems from accusations made by Kumar, connecting the respected cricketer to the Indian Premier League (IPL) betting scandal.
Following a thorough examination, the Madras High Court determined that Kumar had “deliberately attempted to discredit and undermine the authority of this court and the Supreme Court.”
These actions, as per the high court, constituted a “disrespectful assault on the judiciary,” with the intention of diminishing the dignity and prestige of the judicial system. It further elucidated the principle that any affidavit or pleading submitted to a court is regarded as a form of publication, thereby holding Kumar responsible for his statements.
Moreover, the court addressed the boundaries of freedom of speech and expression, particularly in the context of the judiciary. It underscored that while this freedom is a fundamental right, it does not extend to actions that undermine the judiciary’s authority. This stance reaffirms the notion that maintaining the dignity of courts is pivotal for upholding the rule of law—a sentiment echoed by the Supreme Court in various precedents.
“If individuals such as Sampath Kumar were permitted to erode public confidence in the impartial administration of justice, it would constitute an assault on the judiciary.”
– High Court Stated.
