Overview
- The division bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja on May 16 imposed the maximum statutory punishment of six months’ simple imprisonment on Gulshan Pahuja for criminal contempt of court.
- The court found videos on Pahuja’s YouTube channel 'Fight 4 Judicial Reforms' and his oral remarks in court made sweeping, unverified allegations that scandalised judicial officers and lowered public confidence.
- The bench ordered concurrent fines of ₹2,000 in each matter and said failure to pay those fines would mean an extra month of imprisonment.
- Execution of the sentence was suspended for 60 days under Section 19(3) to let Pahuja seek interim relief in the Supreme Court and the order requires him to surrender if the apex court does not grant protection.
- Two advocates interviewed on his channel tendered unconditional apologies and had proceedings dropped, while amicus curiae Harsh Prabhakar told the court Pahuja showed no remorse and continued posting despite earlier restraint directions.