In a significant ruling upholding the dignity of the judiciary, the Delhi High Court has held 12 individuals guilty of criminal contempt for violently attacking court-appointed advocate commissioners during a raid against counterfeit Samsung products in Kolkata’s Fancy Market in 2015.
The court observed that the attack was a “brazen interference in the administration of justice” and sentenced the contemnors to one day of simple imprisonment and a fine of ₹2,000 each. The bench comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar emphasized that such actions strike at the very foundation of the rule of law and must be dealt with firmly.
The incident dates back to January 13, 2015, when 11 advocate commissioners, appointed by the Delhi High Court, visited various shops in Kolkata’s Khidderpore area to identify and seize counterfeit Samsung products. As soon as the lawyers began their inspection, a mob of nearly 200 people surrounded them, pulled down shutters, and attacked them with rods, hockey sticks, and iron bars.
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Advocate Shravan Sahary, one of the commissioners, suffered severe injuries including broken teeth and facial wounds. Another commissioner, Ankur Mittal, was brutally beaten by the crowd. Several police personnel accompanying the team were also injured. The advocates had to flee the scene and return to Delhi without completing their court-mandated duty.
The court noted that the attack was premeditated and aimed at preventing the advocates from performing their legal duties. It dismissed pleas of alibi taken by some shopkeepers and highlighted that their actions were willful and contemptuous.
However, the court discharged contempt notices against several other respondents, including daily wage workers, a bus conductor, and a garment trader, noting that there was no evidence to show they were aware of the court’s orders or intended to obstruct justice.
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Delivering the judgment, the court stated, “Respect and authority commanded by the courts are the greatest guarantee to an ordinary citizen. If such interference is not dealt with strictly, the majesty of law will diminish.”
The court clarified that its observations were limited to contempt proceedings and would not influence the ongoing criminal case related to the incident.
Case Title: Court On Its Own Motion vs. M/s Obsession Naaz & Ors.
Case No: CONT.CAS.(CRL) 3/2015
