The supreme court today vacated a stay order of conviction passed in a contempt case committed by an advocate who had leveled allegations against high court judges and the advocates.

Petitioner Gulshan Kumar Bajwa appeared before the bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah and prayed before the court to adjourn the case till Diwali since he has to get operated. The Court offered the petitioner to provide good legal aid which he refused to take saying that the advocates who are other in the legal aid would ask him for money.

The court flatly refused to adjourn the case since it was an appeal of 2007 and the petitioner has been seeking adjournments on a number of occasions stating his illness. 

He was punished by the Delhi High court under the provision of the Contempt of Court in more than one case and sentenced to undergo 3 months imprisonment and also a fine of Rs. 2000/- in each case.

The court asked him to argue the case but he said that he does not have the file and the doctors have asked him not to speak much and pick up weight of more than 5 KG. The court on this remarked to argue the case since he is appearing in person and would not require the file and presumed that since it is his own case, he would remember it by heart.

He said that he is above 72 years of age and doctors have advised him to take rest and he cannot argue for long. The Court also offered him to maintain the conviction but considering his old age they would enhance the fine and reduce the sentence part but he refused to accept the same. He was still insisting the court to adjourn the case till Diwali since he has to undergo an operation. the Court cautioned the advocate if he does not argue the case they would vacate the stay order granted to him.

The court finally observed orally, "Majesty of law is required to be upheld; it cannot be left in the hands of litigants like you".

Advocate Ardhendumauli Kumar Prasad represented bar Council of India.

After the case was over the Court said that he wanted to appoint Sr. Advocate Vikash Singh as Amicus Curie. When the case was over and the next case was called out, the court told the counsel to wait for a minute since the bench wanted to get over the case of Bajwa.

Crl.A. No. 577/2007
GULSHAN BAJWA
Versus
REGISTRAR, HIGH COURT OR DELHI AND ANR.