'Be infected with coronavirus,' lawyer curses judge after unfavourable verdict

The Calcutta High Court has initiated contempt proceedings against a lawyer for cursing a judge that he be infected with the novel coronavirus. The incident took place after the judge turned down the lawyer’s petition for urgent hearing of his case.

Justice Dipankar Datta in his order stated that when he was reading out his order as to why the prayer for an urgent hearing has been refused the concerned lawyer Bijoy Adhikary repeatedly interfered and thumped the addressing table.

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“Mr. Adhikary was warned to behave but instead of heeding to such warning , he was heard to say that my future shall be doomed by him and for such purpose he cursed that I be infected with the coronavirus,” stated the order.

Justice Datta further stated in the order that he is not afraid of his future being doomed neither is he scared of getting infected by the novel coronavirus but “majesty of the court” is paramount to him and rule of contempt may be issued against Adhikary for his behavior.

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Even then Adhikary did not relent and continued to shout at the top of his voice “undermining the dignity and prestige of this Court” stated the order.

“The conduct of Mr. Adhikary, apart from being abominable, prima facie amounts to ‘criminal contempt’ within the meaning of section 2 (c) of the Contempt of Court’s Act,1971. Therefore I have no other option but issue a suo-motu rule for contempt against Mr. Adhikary,” stated the order.

Justice Datta directed Adhikary to reply to the within a fortnight from the date of which the rule was served upon him. The rule was issued on March 23.
“Let him (Adhikary) answer the rule within a fortnight from the date of service thereof,” stated the order.

It further stated that the matter be taken up by a division bench of the High Court mandated to hear criminal contempt matters after the after the High Court reopens following summer vacation.

Adhikary had moved the High Court seeking urgency with regard to issuing a stay on the auction of a bus of his client by a nationalized bank in the wake of default in loan repayment.