Woman, daughter given contempt notice for seeking arrest of HC judges

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan on Friday issued contempt notices to a mother-daughter duo...

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan on Friday issued contempt notices to a mother-daughter duo, who are members of a controversial Mumbai music school, as they raised their voices “seeking arrest” of several sitting judges of the Bombay High Court, including the Chief Justice there, Justice Swatanter Kumar.

“The allegations made are per se contempt of court. We are issuing notice why contempt of court proceeding be not initiated against you,” observed the Bench.

Leila David and her 23-year-old daughter Annette Kotian, members of Vasai-based Boss Music School, levelled serious allegations and sought the arrest of 10 HC judges for allegedly not hearing their matter “in a free and fair manner”.

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The CJI asked the petitioners to file their responses within 10 days or face arrest. “If you don’t reply on or before September 10, you will be arrested and produced before the court and you will not be released,” noted the Bench also comprising Justices P Sathasivam and J M Panchal.

Despite the court suggesting the mother-daughter duo “to withdraw the allegations”, the petitioners refused to budge. “We are not going to withdraw the allegations,” said Kotian.

The petitioners also pleaded that the CJI should not hear the matter. The CJI shot back, “That I will decide. Choose your words carefully, otherwise you have to face the consequences. You are arguing in the apex court. We have perused the allegations which are very serious in nature. The allegations made amount to contempt of court.”

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

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