Advocate Mahesh Tewari, with over 40 years of practice, expresses sincere regret for court conduct, leading to the closure of contempt proceedings.
In a significant development, the Jharkhand High Court has decided to drop the contempt proceedings against Advocate Mahesh Tewari after he tendered an unconditional apology for his conduct during a court session on October 16, 2025. The Full Bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad, Rongon Mukhopadhyay, Ananda Sen, and Rajesh Shankar, emphasized the importance of maintaining courtroom decorum while acknowledging the advocate's long-standing career and genuine remorse.
The incident originated from an interaction in Court Room No. 24, where Advocate Tewari's statements were deemed to have scandalized the court and went viral on social media. Following this, the court took suo motu cognizance and initiated contempt proceedings. Initially, Advocate Tewari showed no remorse, but upon reflection and following a directive from the Supreme Court, he offered a heartfelt apology.
The Supreme Court, in its order dated January 23, 2026, had urged the High Court to consider the apology sympathetically. Advocate Tewari, in his supplementary affidavit, expressed deep regret for the incident and assured the court of his future commitment to uphold the dignity and decorum of the judiciary.
The High Court, while accepting the apology, noted that the conduct was indeed regrettable but chose to exercise leniency, considering the advocate's sincere repentance and unblemished legal career spanning over four decades. The judgment highlighted the court's approach to use contempt powers sparingly, aiming to protect the administration of justice rather than judicial prestige.
The court's decision underscores a balanced approach, reflecting the judiciary's readiness to forgive when genuine remorse is demonstrated, while also reiterating the critical role of advocates in maintaining the sanctity of the judicial process.
Bottom Line:
Contempt of Court - Advocate's conduct in court - Acceptance of unconditional apology and dropping of contempt proceedings.
Statutory provision(s):
Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 Section 12
Court on its Own Motion v. Mahesh Tewari, (Jharkhand)(FB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2853930
