The Karnataka High Court has convicted advocate Pankaj Kaushik for criminal contempt of court and sentenced him to one day of simple imprisonment, till the rising of the Court, along with a fine of ₹2,000.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Anu Sivaraman and Justice Venkatesh Naik T pronounced the judgment on September 11, 2026, in Criminal Contempt Petition No. 10 of 2022.
Background Of The Case
The proceedings arose after the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Uttara Kannada, forwarded communications concerning Kaushik's conduct before the Additional Civil Judge and JMFC-II at Karwar.
Kaushik was appearing as a party-in-person in a domestic violence case. On April 8, 2022, although his case was not listed, he appeared in court and allegedly shouted at the Presiding Officer and the bench clerk. The judgment records that he also alleged that the judge had received money from his wife and passed orders in her favour. An apology was subsequently submitted by Kaushik on April 11, 2022.
A further incident occurred on April 20, 2022. While Senior Counsel K.R. Desai was addressing arguments, Kaushik interrupted him and asked him to stop so that his own case could be taken up. The Presiding Officer intervened, but the judgment records that Kaushik continued shouting. He was sent to Civil Hospital, Karwar, where a certificate of drunkenness was obtained.
Court's Consideration
The High Court examined the evidence, including the reports from the subordinate court, the apology letter and the medical certificate. It also considered the testimony of the Judicial Magistrate who had witnessed the incidents.
The Court referred to Section 2(c) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, which covers conduct that scandalises or lowers the authority of a court, interferes with judicial proceedings, or obstructs the administration of justice.
The Bench held that the charges stood proved and found that the conduct went beyond fair criticism of judicial proceedings.
"The very demeanor and tone of the accused is clearly contemptuous of the orders and authority of the Court and the judicial system as such," the Bench observed.
The Court also noted that, after the initial incident and apology, Kaushik had again interfered with court proceedings. It found that he had not placed mitigating circumstances sufficient to explain the conduct proved before the Court.
Decision
The Karnataka High Court convicted Kaushik for criminal contempt of court under Section 12(1) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
After hearing him on sentence, the Bench sentenced him to simple imprisonment for one day, till the rising of the Court, and imposed a ₹2,000 fine, payable within 15 days.
The Court directed that, in default of payment, he would undergo another one day of simple imprisonment.
It further directed that he be taken into custody forthwith and that a conviction warrant be issued.
