The Punjab & Haryana High Court has issued a contempt notice to Advocate Ravneet Kaur, who appeared in person, for making scandalous allegations against sitting High Court judges and a trial court judge. The court found her remarks to be an attack on the integrity of the judicial system and an attempt to intimidate the adjudicatory authority.
Background of the Case
Advocate Ravneet Kaur filed an application under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. (now Section 528 of BNSS) read with Section 15(6(b)) of the SC/ST Act and Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India. She sought the preponement of her main case, listed for 31.10.2025, alleging deliberate delays and harassment. In her petition, she threatened to implicate the judges—Justice Sandeep Moudgill, Justice Harpreet Singh Brar, and ASJ Baljinder Singh—in a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court if her case was not preponed.
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Justice Harpreet Singh Brar, presiding over the matter, noted that the petitioner’s allegations were baseless and contemptuous. The court emphasized that her remarks were not only unfounded but also aimed at undermining the judicial process.
"Not only has she failed to indicate how she has been intentionally victimized in the matter at hand, she has also made scandalous remarks attacking the integrity of the justice dispensation mechanism. Thus, this Court is constrained to note that the pleadings of the petitioner are per se contemptuous."
The court further observed that the petitioner, being a qualified advocate, could not plead ignorance of the consequences of such allegations. It referred to the Supreme Court’s ruling in M.Y. Shareef and another Vs. The Hon’ble Judges of the High Court of Nagpur (1955 SCR (1) 757), which held that advocates signing petitions with scandalous content are liable for contempt.
Attempt to Intimidate the Judiciary
The court stated that the petitioner’s actions were a clear attempt to browbeat the judges and interfere with the judicial process. Such behavior, if unchecked, could erode public trust in the judiciary.
"The unwarranted and unjustified challenge to the authority of the Courts undermines the dignity of the rule of law. Such scandalous remarks have the potential of shaking the very edifice of the judicial system."
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Procedural Delays Explained
The case was initially heard by a coordinate bench but was later transferred after the bench recused itself. On 14.07.2025, the matter could not be taken up due to a heavy caseload, including cases under the Mediation of Nation Drive, leading to its adjournment to 31.10.2025. The court clarified that the delay was procedural and not intentional.
Contempt Notice Issued
Given the gravity of the allegations, the court issued a notice to Advocate Ravneet Kaur under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, directing her to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against her. The court, however, allowed her application for preponement in the interest of justice and listed the matter for 29.08.2025.
Title: RAVNEET KAUR V/S STATE OF PUNJAB