In a rare and stern move, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has sharply criticized a single-judge for repeated lapses in adhering to established legal principles under the Contempt of Courts Act. The Bench emphasized the importance of judicial propriety and constitutional decorum, underscoring how such breaches could erode public confidence in the justice system.
The Division Bench, comprising Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Sudeepti Sharma, directed the single-judge responsible for the Contempt of Court roster to strictly follow the prescribed procedures and avoid arbitrary decision-making. The judges highlighted that the repeated issuance of problematic orders had deeply troubled their “judicial conscience.”
This rebuke stemmed from a case in which the single-judge allegedly deviated from established procedures in handling contempt proceedings related to the salaries of lab technicians in Haryana. Despite prior appellate rulings quashing similar orders, the single-judge continued to issue comparable directives, prompting the Division Bench to intervene.
The Bench noted that such actions undermined the judiciary’s foundation of propriety and decorum. “Repeated breaches of procedural norms erode public trust and compromise the administration of justice,” the judges remarked.
The case in question revolved around an appeal against an interim order by the single-judge. The Contempt Bench had initially directed erring officials to either comply with earlier writ court orders or face punitive costs. This directive was challenged by the officials, who argued that imposing penalties at such an early stage of contempt proceedings was unwarranted.
The Division Bench ruled in favor of the appellants, allowing ten related appeals and quashing the single-judge’s orders. The judges underscored that any contempt proceeding must afford the alleged contemnor a proper opportunity to respond before reaching conclusions about guilt.
In a rare directive, the Division Bench ordered its ruling to be forwarded to the Contempt Bench for strict adherence to procedural principles and urged the High Court Chief Justice to take note. The judgment also reprimanded the single-judge for disregarding a Division Bench stay on proceedings in one case, further escalating concerns about judicial overreach.
This unusual judicial rebuke serves as a reminder of the critical importance of consistency, decorum, and adherence to established procedures in maintaining the integrity of the legal system.
