Andhra Pradesh High Court: A Division Bench of Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari and C. Praveen Kumar, JJ., has issued contempt notices to as many as 49 persons which include several law makers. The Court was taking suo motu cognizance of the alleged contemptuous speeches/interviews/postings by these 49 persons against some Judges of the Supreme Court, Judges of the High Court and the High Court itself.
Court received various videos and postings between 22-05-2020 to 24-05-2020. Names of several persons of whose various interviews/speeches/postings, attributing motives, caste and corrupt allegations to some of the Supreme Court, High Court Judges.
The said posts on social media disclose abusive, life threatening and intimidating words against the Judges. There is also fabrication of material with abusive, hatred and contemptuous contents to cause incitement, disaffection and ill will against the Court and Judges.
One of the footages reveals that Mr Nandigama Suresh in his live speech from YCP Office attributed motive to High Court that Chandrababu Naidu is managing High Court and also stated that Chandrababu Naidu came to know the verdict prior to the pronouncement.
Court also took notice of the reported comments made by Bapatla YSRCP MP Nandigam Suresh on its decision to order a CBI probe into a suspended doctors issue in Visakhapatnam.
Thus in view of the above, Suo Motu Contempt Case was filed.
Order of the Court
Bench noted that the comments made in the media posts and video clippings are wholly unwarranted and to scandalize or tend to scandalize the institution.
Considering the above Court issued Rule Nisi to the respondents/contemnors, who can be identified from the posts.
Matter to be listed after 4 weeks. [Nandigam Suresh, In re., 2020 SCC OnLine AP 141 , decided on 26-05-2020]
