Delhi counsel consents to contempt action against CJP legal head
Additional Standing Counsel Amol Sinha approved criminal contempt proceedings against Ratna Singh over social media posts regarding a Saket Court magistrate.
The Delhi government's Additional Standing Counsel (Criminal), Amol Sinha, has given consent to start criminal contempt proceedings against Ratna Singh, the legal affairs head of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). According to reports from Telangana Today, ThePrint and Hindustan Times, the move follows Singh's social media posts concerning a judicial officer at the Saket Court.
The proceedings follow representations made by advocate Kaushik Chatterjee on October 14 and October 28. In a letter dated November 2, Sinha authorised steps to initiate the action under Section 15(2) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
The matter involves posts on X by Singh regarding an order passed by Chief Judicial Magistrate Abhinav Pandey. The order related to proceedings about Singh's alleged detention by the Delhi Police. Singh had posted that the judge was "serving the master" and that the Delhi Police were also following orders from a "master."
Sinha stated that the posts went beyond legitimate criticism of a judicial order. He said the expressions suggested the judicial officer was acting under instructions from an external authority instead of exercising independent discretion. He noted such claims could undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.
Sinha clarified that while judicial orders can be criticised for their reasoning or legality, there is a distinction between questioning a decision and attributing improper motives to a judge. He added that his opinion is limited to the prima facie nature of the allegations and is not a final determination, which remains subject to the Delhi High Court's independent consideration.