Allahabad HC Fines Litigant For Baseless Corruption Allegations Against Judges

Allahabad High Court Fines Litigant for Scandalizing Judiciary

 

In a strong stance against attempts to undermine judicial integrity, the Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench, has held a litigant guilty of criminal contempt for making baseless corruption allegations against sitting judges. The Division Bench of Justice Brij Raj Singh and Justice Vivek Chaudhary imposed a fine of ?2,000 on Devendra Kumar Dixit, a resident of Lucknow, failing which he will serve a week of simple imprisonment.

 

The Case: Unfounded Allegations

 

Dixit had written a complaint to the President of India in April 2016, alleging that judges dismissed his writ petition (W.P. No. 7137 (M/B) of 2016) in exchange for bribes, facilitated by a Senior Advocate and government officials. The High Court took suo motu cognizance of the complaint, and on June 9, 2016, the then Acting Chief Justice referred the matter for criminal contempt proceedings. A notice was issued to Dixit in October 2016.

 

Court’s Ruling

 

The court ruled that Dixit’s allegations, made without any evidence, constituted criminal contempt under Section 2(c)(i) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. It emphasized that such accusations tarnish the judiciary’s reputation and interfere with the administration of justice. Citing Supreme Court precedents, the bench reaffirmed that while fair criticism is allowed under free speech rights, attempts to malign the judiciary are unacceptable.

 

Despite multiple opportunities, Dixit neither apologized nor withdrew his remarks. Taking into account his old age and the fact that this was his first offence, the court imposed a lenient penalty of ?2,000. He has been directed to deposit the fine with the High Court’s Senior Registrar within a month.



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