In a dramatic turn at the Jharkhand High Court, advocate Mahesh Tiwari unconditionally apologized on Tuesday during hearings on a criminal contempt petition. The apology came after a heated exchange with Justice Rajesh Kumar, prompting the full bench to reserve its judgment.
The five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and including Justices Sujeet Narayan Prasad, Rangan Mukhopadhyay, Anand Sen, and Rajesh Shankar, heard the matter meticulously. The incident originated in Justice Rajesh Kumar’s courtroom, where Tiwari’s argumentative stance escalated into a confrontation serious enough for the court to take suo motu cognizance.
Video footage of the altercation was presented earlier, capturing the tense moments. Initially defiant, Tiwari had told a previous bench headed by then-Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan that he stood by his words, spoken in full awareness, with no regrets. That led to the contempt notice.
Tiwari challenged the notice in the Supreme Court, but his plea was dismissed, forcing him back to the High Court. On Tuesday, facing the full bench, he chose contrition over confrontation, offering an unqualified apology. The court accepted the submission and reserved its final order, leaving the legal fraternity watching closely.
This case underscores the delicate balance between zealous advocacy and courtroom decorum. As the judgment pends, it serves as a reminder of the high standards expected from legal professionals in upholding judicial dignity.