A courtroom showdown reached its pivotal moment in Ranchi as advocate Mahesh Tiwari apologized unconditionally to the Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday. The criminal contempt proceedings, triggered by his argument with Justice Rajesh Kumar, saw the five-judge bench reserve judgment after his remorseful plea.
Chief Justice M.S. Sonak presided over the full bench, alongside Justices Sujeet Narayan Prasad, Rangan Mukhopadhyay, Anand Sen, and Rajesh Shankar. The root of the conflict lay in a prior hearing where Tiwari’s heated words crossed the line, prompting swift judicial action.
Previously, under Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan’s bench, video clips exposed the friction. Tiwari doubled down then, claiming full intent behind his statements and zero regret. The court’s response was a contempt notice, which he contested unsuccessfully in the Supreme Court.
Tuesday’s session marked a shift. Confronted by the formidable bench, Tiwari opted for humility, begging pardon without conditions. This gesture was duly recorded, leading the court to hold off on its ruling.
The episode resonates deeply within legal circles, spotlighting the thin line advocates tread between passionate representation and disrespect. With the decision pending, it prompts reflection on maintaining decorum amid adversarial proceedings, a cornerstone of justice delivery.