"Tu Hai Kya Cheez..": Convict, lawyer threaten woman judge in court after cheque bounce conviction
New Delhi: A Delhi court witnessed a serious breach of courtroom decorum when a convict and his lawyer threatened and abused Judicial Magistrate Shivangi Mangla following a conviction in a cheque bounce case.
The accused, who was convicted under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, reacted aggressively after the judgment, directing threats toward the judge. According to the court's order dated April 2, the accused said: “Tu hai kya cheez… bahar mil dekhte hai kaise zinda ghar jaati hai...”
(“Who even are you… just meet me outside and let’s see how you make it back home alive.”)
The judge recorded that the accused attempted to hurl an object at her and instructed his lawyer to secure a favourable outcome by any means. Further, she noted that both the convict and his counsel mentally and physically harassed her, demanding her resignation and threatening to file complaints to force her out of office.
Judge Mangla stated she would initiate appropriate action before the National Commission for Women in response to the threats and harassment.
“The undersigned shall be taking appropriate measures against the accused... for such threatening and harassment,” the order read.
Additionally, the court issued a show cause notice to Advocate Atul Kumar, counsel for the accused, asking him to explain his conduct and why criminal contempt proceedings should not be initiated.
“Court notice be issued to counsel for accused Sh. Atul Kumar... to explain as to why he shall not be referred to the Hon’ble High Court for initiating criminal contempt proceedings,” the judge directed.
The lawyer is required to submit his written response on the next date of hearing.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
