Madras High Court Finds Man Guilty Of Contempt For Accusing Sitting Judges Of 'Genocide'

The Madras High Court has found a man guilty of contempt of court for making scandalous allegations against sitting judges of the High Court, alleging that the judge had committed “genocide” and “crime against humanity”. The bench of Justice P Velmurugan and Justice M Jothiraman, noted that the man had repeatedly made scandalising comments against more than 20 judges of the court and had made intemperate and unwarranted expression against the judiciary. “The repeated making of scandalous allegations against this Court and the learned Judges, coupled with the use of intemperate and unwarranted expressions in the course of judicial proceedings, amounts to scandalising the Court and interferes with the due course of judicial proceedings and the administration of justice. This Court is therefore satisfied that the charges framed against the contemnor stand proved and that he has committed contempt of Court,” the court said. The court was taking up a suo motu contempt petition initiated against Ashok Surana. The suo motu was registered when Surana made serious comments against one of the judges who was presiding over the bench while hearing a petition filed by him. Surana had commented that the judge had committed genocide and crime against humanity on a scale unknown to mankind. The court had decided to initiate suo motu action noting that it was not a solitary attempt and that Surana had previously made allegations against almost 20 judges of the court and ensured that they recuse from cases. Thus, the court opined that it was high time to put a full stop to such pernicious techniques. The court noted that even after initiating contempt, instead of showing any regret, Surana reiterated the same allegations despite being cautioned about the consequences of his statements. Noting that such repeated use of scandalous and intemperate language against the judiciary amounted to criminal contempt, the court framed charges under Section 2(c)(i), punishable under Section 12 of the Contempt of Court Act. The court further noted that despite this, Surana, in his reply statement, made allegations against the bench and even called upon the bench to tender an unconditional apology, withdraw the contempt, and recuse from the proceedings. Thus, the court ruled that Surana was guilty of contempt of court. However, before sentencing him, the court deemed it fit to grant him one final opportunity and asked him to file an affidavit tendering his unconditional apology for the allegations and statements made by him against the court. Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. V. Vijaya Shankar Counsel for Respondents: Mr. T. Ashok Surana Party-in-Person Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 61 Case Title: High Court Of Madras v. Ashok Surana Case No: Suo Motu Contempt Petition No.391 of 2020Click Here To Read/Download The Judgment

Madras High Court Finds Man Guilty Of Contempt For Accusing Sitting Judges Of 'Genocide'

Upasana Sajeev

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