Contempt Proceedings Initiated Against CJP Legal Head Over Alleged Remarks Against Magistrate

CJP Legal Affairs Chief Ratna Singh Faces Criminal Contempt Proceedings Over Remarks Against Magistrate

Criminal contempt proceedings are set to be initiated against Ratna Singh, legal affairs chief of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), over her alleged remarks against a Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) at Delhi’s Saket Courts. The move follows approval from the Delhi government’s Additional Standing Counsel after a lawyer approached the authorities seeking contempt action.

According to the legal official, Singh’s social media posts attract provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act.

The controversy relates to proceedings before the Chief Judicial Magistrate after Singh challenged her detention on October 10, the day of the CJP protest.

Explaining the legal position, the Additional Standing Counsel said there is a clear distinction between questioning the correctness of a judicial order and accusing a judge of acting under external influence or with improper motives.

The counsel specifically referred to Singh’s alleged remarks describing the magistrate as “serving the master” and “following order from master”. He observed that such statements went beyond ordinary criticism of a judicial decision and prima facie suggested that the judicial officer was taking instructions from an external authority instead of independently exercising judicial discretion.

The legal official further stated that allegations of this nature could undermine the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. In the absence of any supporting evidence, such comments risk creating the impression that court decisions are influenced by considerations unrelated to the law.

He added that public allegations questioning a judge’s independence are prima facie capable of lowering the authority of the court and weakening public confidence in the judicial system.

Meanwhile, addressing Singh’s remarks concerning the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SEM) who heard the detention matter involving Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, Standing Counsel Ashutosh Ranka argued that the comments were directed at the Delhi Police and the SEM and should not be considered criminal contempt.