September 19: The Delhi High Court on Friday came down heavily on a lawyer, Vedant, for making sweeping allegations of corruption and bias against judges, calling his conduct a case of "criminal contempt." The matter has now been referred to a division bench for further action in November.
The case began with a contempt petition filed by Gunjan Kumar and another petitioner, who accused Vedant of deliberately flouting a 2023 Rohini court order. What followed inside the courtroom was a sharp reminder of how far language against the judiciary can go before the law intervenes.
Vedant, appearing in person, had earlier tendered an unconditional apology. But subsequent filings and emails painted a different picture. He wrote to the court and even opposing counsel, using language that the bench described as "scandalous, contumacious and contemptuous."
Justice Amit Sharma read out portions of Vedant's emails where he alleged that judges had taken bribes worth over ₹50 crore. In one particularly disturbing passage, he accused the system of treating him like a "second-class citizen" because of his caste, and went on to describe the judiciary as "corrupt prostitutes."
"The honour and dignity of the judicial system has to be preserved," the bench observed, adding that no litigant can take liberty to make "irresponsible remarks against the judiciary."
The court also noted with concern that Vedant himself is a practicing lawyer.
"The issue becomes all the more serious when a member of the bar, who ought to uphold the majesty of law, engages in lowering it," Justice Sharma remarked.
Senior counsel and Delhi High Court Bar Association president Mohit Mathur was specially asked to assist the court. He too pointed out that Vedant's filings in trial courts contained derogatory language against both judges and lawyers.
Despite being given several chances, Vedant continued to defend his statements in his reply to the show-cause notice, accusing the judiciary of "transforming goats into lions" and alleging a decade-long conspiracy against him.
Finding these explanations baseless, the court held that his conduct satisfied the definition of "criminal contempt" under Section 2(c) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
The matter will now go before a division bench on November 19. Vedant has been directed to appear in person.
With the order uploaded immediately on the court’s website, the bench made it clear that the judiciary will not tolerate such attacks on its dignity.
Case Details:- Gunjan Kumar & Anr. v. Vedant, Cont. Cas. (C) 1909/2023 & CM Appl. 4486/2024