Justice prevailed over discord at the Jharkhand High Court Tuesday when lawyer Mahesh Tiwari offered an unqualified apology amid criminal contempt charges. Following his earlier spat with Justice Rajesh Kumar, the full bench reserved judgment, signaling a potential close to the saga.
The bench featured Chief Justice M.S. Sonak, Justices Sujeet Narayan Prasad, Rangan Mukhopadhyay, Anand Sen, and Rajesh Shankar. Flashback to the inciting incident: Tiwari’s courtroom retorts during Justice Kumar’s session escalated alarmingly, caught on video and reviewed by a prior five-judge panel led by Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan.
Defiant at first, Tiwari proclaimed his statements deliberate and unregretted. That provoked a suo motu contempt notice. His Supreme Court challenge failed, thrusting him back into the High Court’s arena.
In a humbled turn, Tiwari expressed sincere regret before the bench, paving the way for the court to deliberate privately. This unfolding drama illustrates the judiciary’s unwavering commitment to authority and order.
As anticipation builds for the final verdict, the case stands as a cautionary tale for the bar. It emphasizes that while advocacy demands vigor, it must never undermine the court’s sanctity, ensuring the wheels of justice turn smoothly.