Overview
- A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar directed registration of the case, gave Ojha four weeks to reply, and listed a hearing for October 16.
- The court held that Ojha’s remarks were “scandalous, scurrilous and defamatory” and calculated to erode public trust in the judiciary.
- Judges rejected his bids to be discharged from an earlier contempt and to implead the judge, clarifying that in suo motu contempt the notifier is not a complainant or necessary party.
- The proceedings stem from an April 1 press conference where, as counsel to Disha Salian’s father, Ojha made accusations against a sitting judge linked to the CBI-probe plea.
- The bench cautioned roughly 15 lawyers appearing with Ojha to adhere to professional obligations, opting only to warn them at this stage.