Delhi High Court accepts apology in social media contempt case, orders ₹1 Lakh fine [Read Order]

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has concluded a contempt of court case by accepting an unconditional apology from the contemnor and directing him to make a substantial charitable donation as compensation for wasting public time.

Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain, presiding over the case CONT.CAS (CRL) 13/2023, disposed of the contempt petition against respondent Uday Pal Singh, who had been found guilty of contempt on May 3, 2024.

The court noted that the contemnor had uploaded a video on his social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter) on August 24, 2022, which led to the contempt proceedings. In his defense, Singh filed an affidavit stating that his intention was neither to defame the Court nor the Judges of the Court, nor to scandalize them to lower the majesty of the Court at any point in time.

The court observed, “The contemnor has filed an affidavit wherein he stated that at the time of uploading the video on his social media handles, i.e., Facebook and Twitter, on 24.08.2022, his intention was neither to defame this Court nor the Judges of the Court, nor to scandalize them to lower the majesty of the Court at any point in time. The video was uploaded by the contemnor just to express his opinion regarding the way the case was proceeding.”

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Addressing the resolution of the case, the court stated, “The contemnor has tendered an unconditional apology before this Court, stating that he was unable to estimate the outcome of the video, which was uploaded by him on 24.08.2022. The contemnor submits that he is ready and willing to deposit an amount of Rs. 1 lakh for welfare purposes to compensate for the public time wasted in the present proceedings.”

The court accepted this apology and proposal, saying, “In view of the aforesaid, we accept the unconditional apology tendered by the contemnor and discharge him from the contempt proceedings.”

The court directed the contemnor to deposit Rs. 1 lakh within two weeks with the Registry of the Delhi High Court. This amount is to be disbursed equally among four beneficiaries:

1. Rs. 25,000 to the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee
2. Rs. 25,000 to the Delhi Indigent & Disabled Lawyers Fund
3. Rs. 25,000 to Nirmal Chhaya for the Welfare of Children and Destitute Women
4. Rs. 25,000 to the Bharat Ke Veer Fund

The court emphasized the seriousness of contempt actions, concluding, “With the directions as aforesaid, the present contempt petition is disposed of while making it clear that if in the future the contemnor acts in the same manner, strict action will be taken against him.”

[Read Order]