Contempt of Court Case: Himachal Pradesh HC Imposes Community Services as Punishment

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has imposed a six-week community service as a punishment for individuals involved in a contempt of court case.

A double bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, comprising Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, pronounced the community service punishment in response to the contempt of court matter.

Three individuals from the Kullu district were found guilty of tampering with court records, and the High Court issued the punishment.

The Advocate General of the Himachal Pradesh High Court stated that this ruling sets a precedent for the public and underscores the court’s commitment to social responsibility and awareness.

Anup Rattan, the Advocate General of HP High Court, explained, “Today, the High Court of Himachal Pradesh has issued an order to foster a sense of social service in society. In a Suo Moto Contempt Case involving respondents who tampered with the court’s orders, the High Court initiated a contempt case against them.”

“The Court has imposed a penalty on those found guilty, requiring them to engage in community service. They will need to go to Panchayat Pradhan Haroli, and the Panchayat Pradhan will assign them two weeks of Social Service. They can fulfill this Community Service within a two-month period,” stated Advocate General Anup Rattan.

He continued, “Following this, the offenders must report to the Legal Service Authority in Una district. Subsequently, they will be obligated to perform community service for four weeks at Sports Centre Haroli under the supervision of the Legal Service Authority. In this manner, the court, by modifying the form of punishment, has set an example for society.”

The court directed the culprits to initially serve two weeks in the Village Panchayat and later complete four weeks of service at the Sports Centre of the Legal Service Authority.

“We impose a fine of Rs 2,000 upon each of respondents no.2-4. In default, respondent no.2-4 shall be liable to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of one week. We impose exemplary costs of Rs 10,000 upon each of respondents no.2-4 to be deposited by them within a period of two weeks with District Legal Services Authority District Una,” stated the court order.

The case, heard in 2019, involved an examination of all facts, leading to the court finding the respondents guilty. “The matter was a litigation involving two poor families of Una. During the filing of the appeal in the higher court, they had tampered with the copy of the orders of the lower court, and the date was altered. The court found them guilty of tampering with the case, considering the social perspective, and ordered this community service punishment,” added the Advocate General.

As per the court order, the respondents were found guilty of criminal contempt under Section 2(c)(ii) & 2(c)(iii) of the Contempt of Courts Act 1971 for willfully tampering with the judicial record. The contempt petition was disposed of in accordance with the specified directions, and any pending miscellaneous applications were also disposed of.