Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Apr 21: A Delhi courtroom was left in shock as convicting a man in a six-year-old check bounce case led to the convict and his lawyer hurling abuses and threatening the woman judge in the open court.
The incident took place on April 2 at a court in Delhi’s Dwarka but was reported by the official sources on Monday. The threat was issued after Judicial Magistrate Shivangi Mangla convicted the accused under Section 138 (dishonour of cheque) of the Negotiable Instruments Act and On April 5 sentenced the accused to 22 months’ jail and a fine of Rs 6.65 lakh in the cheque bounce case.
The situation turned dramatic when the convict, enraged by the verdict, allegedly attempted to throw an object at the judge. He then instructed his lawyer to do whatever it took to secure a favourable judgment.
“Tu hai kya cheez… tu bahar mil dekhte hai kaise zinda ghar jaati hai (who are you even? Meet us outside, and we will see how you return home alive),” the accused had said as she passed the order convicting him. The convict and his counsel even demanded that the judge resign her post and said they would complain against her otherwise and force her to resign.
The accused and his lawyer went on to hurl barrage of offensive comments, including personal insults and derogatory references directed at Judge Mangla’s mother.
The two “Harassed me mentally and physically to resign from job and they both again harassed to acquit the accused else they will file complaint against me and forcibly arrange my resignation,” the judge said in her order. She has referred the matter to the district and sessions judge so it could be forwarded to the Delhi High Court for appropriate proceedings.
The accused, a 63-year-old retired government school teacher, and his counsel, advocate Atul Kumar, also subjected her to both mental and physical harassment in an attempt to pressure her into resigning from her post. Despite repeated intimidation, she stood firm, stating in her order that appropriate legal steps would be taken to ensure justice.
The judge said that appropriate action shall be initiated against the accused before the National Commission for Women for the threats and harassment. “The undersigned shall be taking appropriate measures against the accused before National Commission Woman, Delhi for such threatening and harassment,” the Court directed.
Additionally, the judge issued a show cause notice to the convict’s lawyer seeking an explanation as to why criminal contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for misbehaviour in court. “Court notice be issued to counsel for accused Sh. Atul Kumar to show cause in writing providing relevant explanation for the conduct shown by him today and further to explain as to why he shall not be referred to the Hon’ble High Court for initiating criminal contempt proceedings against him for such misbehaviour,” it added.
The lawyer has been directed to submit his response on the next date of hearing.
