Contempt of Court: Doctor Apologizes Before Court, Commits to do Community Service

Apologizing to the High Court of Karnataka, a Bengaluru doctor has given an undertaking to involve herself in community work at a government hospital.

The 33-year-old, who practices in a private hospital, will dedicate one day a month for the next six months to work in a government hospital after obtaining the necessary permission.

The Court had initiated contempt of court proceedings against her for disobeying the court’s order in a matrimonial and child custody dispute.

Acknowledging the doctor’s apology, the Court noted, “The learned counsel for the respondent/accused submits that his client is tendering her unconditional apology and assures this court that in the future, she would act in such a way that there would be no occasion for the initiation of any action against her. To show her bona fides, she assures to engage herself for one day every calendar month in community services for six months in any government hospital in Bengaluru City with prior permission from its HOD, Civil Surgeon, or the Director, as the case may be.”

The Court also directed government hospitals to consider her request for the same.

“In view of the above, we accept the unconditional apology tendered by the respondent/accused, treating her assurance as an undertaking given to this court. We further make it clear that as per the said assurance/undertaking, if the respondent/accused approaches any of the government hospitals, they will permit her to render community services for one full day in a month, for a period of six months from today,” the order stated.

The court had initiated contempt proceedings against her for “interfering with and obstructing the administration of justice.” Earlier this year, another bench of the High Court had awarded custody of the minor child of the couple to the father. However, the doctor did not follow the court order to hand over custody.

The High Court issued a notice to her in the contempt proceedings, following which she filed an affidavit in September and appeared in court in person. Accepting her apology, the High Court disposed of the contempt petition. Nevertheless, the doctor was directed to provide a compliance statement after six months to the Registrar General of the High Court.