The High Court of Madhya Pradesh declined to initiate contempt proceedings against an advocate after he tendered an unconditional apology for remarks made during a bail hearing that the court found objectionable.
The matter came up before Justice Ramkumar Choubey in a bail application filed in Jagdish Varkade vs State of Madhya Pradesh.
Background of the Case
During an earlier hearing on May 6, counsel for the applicant had argued that in similar matters under the Essential Commodities Act, accused persons represented by senior advocates had received bail, and denying similar relief to the present applicant because he was represented by a junior lawyer would be inappropriate.
The court had then observed that such submissions appeared to attribute “extraneous considerations” to judicial functioning and were prima facie derogatory to the dignity of the High Court. The advocate was directed to place on record orders from similar cases to support his claim.
When the matter was taken up again on May 8, advocate Sudeep Singh Saini informed the court that he neither possessed nor knew of any such orders granting bail on the basis suggested earlier.
On being questioned by the bench, the counsel clarified that he had referred generally to an order passed by a coordinate bench in another matter.
The court noted that the earlier statement made at the Bar appeared to touch upon the judicial functioning of the court and seemed contemptuous in nature.
“The statement he made was not intended to show anything against the dignity of this Court,” the counsel submitted while offering an unconditional apology.
Taking note of the apology, the High Court said it was not inclined to initiate contempt proceedings against the advocate. However, the bench cautioned him to remain conscious of the sanctity of judicial proceedings and to exercise care and precision while making submissions before the court.
The bail application was directed to be listed again in the following week for consideration.
Case Details
Case Title: Jagdish Varkade vs The State of Madhya Pradesh
Case Number: MCRC No. 14288 of 2026
Judge: Justice Ramkumar Choubey
Decision Date: May 8, 2026
