In an unprecedented incident, a petitioner verbally abused the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and threw a paper at him during a Supreme Court hearing on July 10, 2026. The outburst occurred as the bench was hearing a case related to a land dispute.
Incident Details
The petitioner, identified as Rajesh Kumar, suddenly stood up and shouted, "Mr. Judicial Servant, I order you," before hurling a crumpled paper towards the CJI. The paper missed the Chief Justice but landed on the desk. Security personnel immediately intervened and escorted Kumar out of the courtroom.
According to court officials, Kumar had been agitated during the proceedings and had interrupted the bench multiple times. The CJI warned him to maintain decorum, but Kumar continued his unruly behavior.
Contempt Proceedings Initiated
The Supreme Court registry has initiated contempt of court proceedings against Kumar. A contempt notice has been issued, and the matter is scheduled for a hearing on July 17. The CJI remarked, "This is a serious matter. The dignity of the court cannot be compromised."
Legal experts say that such behavior is rare and could result in a fine or imprisonment. Under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, contempt of court can lead to a maximum punishment of six months in jail and a fine of up to ₹2,000.
Reactions from Legal Fraternity
Senior advocate Harish Salve condemned the incident, calling it "an attack on the judiciary." He added, "The courts are temples of justice, and such actions undermine the rule of law." The Bar Council of India also expressed concern and urged strict action against the petitioner.
This is not the first instance of a litigant misbehaving in court. In 2023, a similar incident occurred in the Delhi High Court when a party threw a shoe at the judge. The accused was later sentenced to three months in prison.
