The Delhi High Court has sentenced a YouTuber and advocate Gulshan Pahuja to six months’ simple imprisonment in two criminal contempt case, observing that he continued making scandalous remarks against the judiciary even during the hearing on punishment.
A Division Bench of Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja passed the order on May 16, 2026, in proceedings initiated by the Court on its own motion.
Earlier, on April 21, 2026, the High Court had held Pahuja guilty of criminal contempt under Section 2(c) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, and asked him to address the Court on the issue of punishment.
During the hearing, Pahuja sought recall of the earlier judgment. He argued that the proceedings suffered from procedural irregularities and claimed he was not given a full opportunity to defend himself. He also argued that judicial officers mentioned in his videos were neither examined before the Court nor made available for cross-examination.
He further contended that the Court had failed to properly consider documents filed by him and the Court had to prove “that his statements were not true.
While recording his oral submissions, the Bench noted that Pahuja again made remarks against the judiciary during the hearing itself.
According to the order, he stated:
“adaalaton ki manmarzi badhti jaa rahi hai aur main koi nyay ki umeed nahi kar raha”
He also said:
“manmarzi ka dusra arth taanashahi hota hai”
The Court observed that the contemnor had compounded the contempt by making further scandalous submissions before the Court and showed neither remorse nor any intention of course correction
The Bench further noted that despite an earlier direction restraining him from uploading videos against judicial officers, he allegedly continued posting such content online.
Rejecting his challenge to the earlier contempt judgment, the Bench observed, “We cannot sit in review of the said judgment,” while noting that he remained free to pursue remedies available under law before a higher court.
The Court also said that showing leniency could encourage repetition of such acts in future.
Holding that the matter called for “maximum punishment,” the High Court sentenced Pahuja to six months’ simple imprisonment along with a fine of ₹2,000 in each contempt case, with both sentences directed to run concurrently.
However, considering his statement that he intended to approach the Supreme Court, the Bench suspended the sentence for 60 days under Section 19(3) of the Contempt of Courts Act.
Case Title: Court on Its Own Motion v. Shiv Narayan Sharma Advocate & Ors. / Deepak Singh Advocate & Anr.
Case Number: CONT.CAS.(CRL) 3/2025 & CONT.CAS.(CRL) 4/2025
