Litigant sends Rs 20,000 cheque to buy time of High Court

Taking a serious note of his conduct,Justice P B Majumdar and Justice Amjad Sayed observed “how can such a request be made. In case,if some one deposits Rs one crore should we hear him for the full day?,they asked.

The judges felt that this sort of request of buying the time of court amounted to interfering with the administration of justice. They threatened to take contempt action against Tilotekar if he failed to tender apology.

Tilotekar apologised orally saying he was unmindful of the law and had written the letter and sent the cheque by mistake and due to ignorance.

However,the judges asked him to tender apology in an affidavit by January 27.

The court was hearing an appeal in an arbitration case filed in 2004 by Tilotekar’s wife against a company.

In the letter,the litigant wrote,”I am a senior citizen and have come to the court from Pune. I am unable to walk properly and am under treatment for the same. Please allot me a particular date and arrange to put the matter high on board so that I am saved the agony of going through the uncertainties and travelling problem.”