The Punjab & Haryana High Court has imposed a cost of Rs. 25,000 on a litigant who filed a "contemptuous" petition seeking the registration of an FIR against judicial officers and lawyers, alleging their involvement in grabbing public property.

The petitioner, who appeared in person and claimed to be a lawyer, accused four judicial officers of misusing their position for illegal property acquisition. However, the Court found the allegations baseless and expressed strong disapproval of the petitioner’s conduct.

The Single Bench of Justice N.S. Shekhawat, while dismissing the plea, remarked, "The present petitioner had attempted an arrogant and contemptuous attitude, but of course, the dignity of the Court is not so brittle as to shatter by a stone thrown by a madman. This Court has no hesitation to conclude that the present petitioner has been regular, persistent, and guilty of undermining the dignity of the Court and his action is motivated, deliberate, and designed."

The Court further noted that the language used by the petitioner scandalized the Court and could amount to contempt. However, it refrained from initiating contempt proceedings, expressing hope that the petitioner would conduct himself appropriately in the future as a disciplined member of the legal fraternity.

"...the averments and language used by the petitioner in the present case scandalize the Court, interfere in the administration of justice and are apparently contempt of Court. However, at this stage, this Court is not inclined to initiate contempt of Court proceedings against the present petitioner with the hope that the petitioner will conduct himself in future as a disciplined member of the legal fraternity and shall cause no embarrassment to anyone. He is still warned not to file such frivolous petitions before any Court of law and the present petition is ordered to be dismissed with costs of Rs. 25,000/-, which shall be deposited by him with the PGI Poor Patient Welfare Fund, Chandigarh," it said.

Citing Sakiri Vasu v. State of U.P. [2008 AIR SC 907], the Court ruled that the petition seeking an FIR under Section 482 CrPC was not maintainable, given the availability of alternative remedies in the legal framework.

Additionally, the Court pointed out that the petitioner failed to specify any property allegedly grabbed by the judicial officers. It criticized the growing tendency among litigants to malign judicial officers when they fail to secure favorable orders.

"Merely because the petitioner has chosen to appear in person, it does not give him a license to indulge in making such aspersions as he has the tendency to scandalize the Court in relation to judicial matters," the Single Judge observed.

The Court issued a stern warning to the petitioner against filing such frivolous petitions in the future and dismissed the plea with costs of Rs. 25,000. "In case the amount of fine is not deposited by the petitioner within a period of 02 months from today, the amount of fine shall be recovered as arrears of land revenue," the Court said.

Cause Title: Suresh Kumar v. State of Haryana and others [Neutral Citation No. 2025:PHHC:011561]

Appearance:-

Respondent: DAG Rajinder Kumar Banku, Advocate Jasdev Singh Mehndiratt (Amicus Curiae)

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