Madras High Court Issues Stern Warning to Litigant Over Derogatory Statements
The Madras High Court has taken a firm stance against a litigant, T Ashok Surana, for making repeated derogatory and scandalous remarks against the court and its judges. In a recent order dated February 10, the court warned that Surana could face one month in jail if he fails to file an unconditional apology by the next hearing in March.
Background of the Contempt Case
A bench comprising Justices P Velmurugan and M Jothiraman was hearing a suo moto contempt case initiated in 2020. This case stemmed from the dismissal of Surana's writ petition in 2019. The court noted that Surana had previously alleged the Madras High Court committed "genocide" and "crimes against humanity," statements deemed highly inappropriate and scandalous.
The bench observed that Surana has shown no regret for his actions. Instead, he has continued to make similar allegations in ongoing proceedings, even demanding that the judges apologize to him and recuse themselves from his cases.
Previous Judicial Proceedings and Charges
In 2019, a previous bench highlighted Surana's tactics of causing over 20 judges to recuse themselves from his cases. Subsequently, in October 2021, a bench of Justices P N Prakash and R N Manjula framed charges against him for contempt of court.
Later, in July 2025, a bench of Justices M S Ramesh and V Lakshminarayanan recorded that Surana reiterated his derogatory allegations when appearing before them. The court found that his conduct amounted to criminal contempt, scandalizing the court and interfering with judicial proceedings.
Court's Observations and Final Opportunity
The high court examined the case's history and made several key observations:
- Surana has persistently made scandalous allegations despite previous court orders and framed charges.
- He has not withdrawn his statements and has instead demanded apologies from the bench.
- His reply statements are inappropriate and reflect an ongoing attempt to undermine the judiciary.
- Surana has been given ample opportunity to respond but has only justified his allegations.
The court held that the charges against Surana are proven. It granted him a final chance to file an affidavit expressing genuine regret and promising not to make such statements in the future. If he fails to do so by the deadline, he will serve one month in jail.
Implications for Judicial Integrity
This case underscores the judiciary's commitment to maintaining respect and integrity in legal proceedings. The Madras High Court's warning serves as a reminder that contempt of court, especially through scandalous remarks, will not be tolerated and can lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing in March, where the court will review Surana's compliance with the apology requirement.
