New Delhi, Feb 9: The Supreme Court on Monday strongly condemned incidents of violence within court premises, terming them as “gunda raj” and a clear failure of the rule of law, while hearing a mention regarding an alleged assault on a lawyer inside Delhi’s Tis Hazari court complex.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalaya Bagchi, and Justice N.V. Anjaria was apprised of an incident that allegedly occurred on February 7 before the court of Additional District Judge Harjit Singh Pal at Tis Hazari Courts.
The advocate who mentioned the matter told the Court that he was appearing on behalf of the accused when the complainant’s advocate, accompanied by several persons, allegedly attacked and assaulted him inside the courtroom.
He said the presiding judge and court staff were present at the time of the incident.
Expressing serious concern, the CJI remarked, “This kind of gunda raj is not acceptable to us. That means it is a failure of the rule of law.”
The Chief Justice inquired whether the incident had been brought to the notice of the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
Upon learning that no such complaint had yet been made, the CJI directed the advocate to immediately take up the matter administratively.
“Write a letter to the Chief Justice of the High Court and mark me as well. Let the High Court Chief Justice take cognisance, and action will be on the administrative side,” the CJI directed.
The Bench emphasised that the prescribed procedure must be followed and asked the advocate to update the Court after approaching the Delhi High Court Chief Justice.
The Supreme Court reiterated that violence within court premises cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
