Threatening Someone From Approaching Court 'Most Serious Of Criminal Contempts': Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court has held that threatening or obstructing a person from approaching the Court is the most serious of criminal contempts.

The Court was considering a Public Interest Litigation alleging felling and theft of trees belonging to the Government in Fatehpur.

The Bench of Justice JJ Munir observed, "No one in the country can threaten or obstruct a person from approaching the Court and seeking his remedies. This is the biggest impediment affecting the course of justice and, therefore, the most serious of criminal contempts."

The Petitioner appeared in person while the Respondent was represented by C.S.C. Azad Rai.

The Petitioner alleged that in order to browbeat him into withdrawing this Public Interest Litigation, Respondent No. 9 assaulted the Petitioner's brother and other members of his family.

When his family members approached the Police Station, Respondent No. 9, allegedly a man of criminal propensities, worked his connection with the Police and got an FIR lodged against the Petitioner and the complainant, who had originally complained the matter, whereas the FIR lodged by the Petitioner's side was registered later to give Respondent no. 9 an advantage.

It was also asserted in the supplementary affidavit that Respondent No. 9 is a criminal and accused in a case registered for offences punishable under Section 302, 201 and 34 of the IPC and Section 3,5 and 25 of the Arms Act.

"What is most perturbing is the fact that there is a definitive allegation in paragraph no. 9 of the supplementary affidavit that respondent no. 9 is still threatening the petitioner's father, mother and brother asking them to withdraw the present Public Interest Litigation. The petitioner has also asserted in paragraph no. 10 that there this will bring a great peril to his entire family", the Court observed, calling it "most serious of criminal contempt".

It accordingly issued summons to Respondent No. 9 and ordered that the matter be registered as fresh on August 13, 2025.

Cause Title: Amit Singh Parihar vs. State of U.P. and others

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