Court issues notice to petitioner and driver for criminal contempt; directs legal action and seizure of mobile device
Jaipur, 11 May 2026: The Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur Bench, under the jurisdiction of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand, has initiated contempt proceedings against Kamal Rathore and his driver, Anil Suman, for unauthorized recording of court proceedings. The incident, which occurred during the hearing of several miscellaneous petitions, has raised significant concerns about the interference with the administration of justice.
During the session, Anil Suman was found using his mobile phone to record the proceedings without prior permission. Upon detection, he attempted to delete the recordings, an act considered to be a serious interference with the administration of justice. Suman confessed that he was recording the proceedings on behalf of Kamal Rathore, the petitioner, for case-related purposes.
The court highlighted that the unauthorized recording of judicial proceedings constitutes criminal contempt under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. This action not only disrupts the judicial process but also undermines the dignity of the court. Rule 3(vi) of the Rajasthan High Court Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts, 2020, explicitly prohibits such recordings, emphasizing the need for adherence to judicial protocols.
Justice Dhand referenced the Supreme Court's ruling in "Arundhati Roy, In Re; (2002) 3 SCC 343," underscoring the vital role of contempt laws in maintaining public respect and confidence in the judiciary. The judgment reaffirmed that breaching these laws could erode trust in the judicial system, posing a threat to the societal fabric.
The court has issued notices to Kamal Rathore and Anil Suman, requiring them to show cause as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them. Furthermore, the Registrar (Judicial) has been instructed to lodge a report and ensure the seizure of Suman's mobile phone, which will be kept in safe custody. Legal action is to be pursued by the Station House Officer, Police Station Ashok Nagar, District Jaipur City (West).
The matter has been escalated to the Hon'ble Acting Chief Justice for further directions, including listing the case before an appropriate bench, excluding the current bench presided over by Justice Dhand.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining decorum and respect within judicial settings, and the potential consequences of disregarding established protocols.
Bottom line:-
Recording court proceedings without permission constitutes criminal contempt and amounts to interference with the administration of justice.
Statutory provision(s): Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, Rajasthan High Court Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts, 2020
Kamal Rathore v. State of Rajasthan, (Rajasthan)(Jaipur Bench) : Law Finder Doc id # 2897165
