In a significant ruling, the Telangana High Court has accepted unconditional apologies from three individuals accused of contempt of court. The case, which was reopened on the directives of the Supreme Court, revolved around a transfer petition containing allegations of bias and procedural discrimination against Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya.
The contemnors-Mr. N. Peddi Raju (complainant), Mr. Ritesh Patil (Advocate-on-Record), and Mr. Nitin Meshram (drafting advocate)-tendered affidavits expressing deep regret for the language used in the transfer petition. Mr. Meshram, who drafted the petition, accepted full responsibility and apologized for his error in judgment.
The High Court, while accepting the apologies, emphasized the importance of maintaining respect for the judiciary. Justice Bhattacharya noted, “The authority of the Court stems not from the power to penalize, but from the power to balance the scales of justice.” She further highlighted the growing trend of personal attacks on judges, which she said undermines public trust in the judiciary.
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The court observed that while criticism of judgments is part of the legal process, attributing malicious motives to judges crosses a line. It stressed that advocates, as officers of the court, have a responsibility to ensure the judiciary is not brought into disrepute.
The matter will now be placed before the Supreme Court for further consideration, as directed in its August 11, 2025 order. This case serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between fair criticism and contempt, and the enduring role of courts as guardians of justice in India.
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Case Title: Criminal Petition No. 4162 of 2020 (In the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for the State of Telangana and the State of Andhra Pradesh)
Case No.: 4162 of 2020
