Supreme Court Fines Officer for Contempt, Highlights Judicial Bias

The Supreme Court has fined a Gujarat police officer Rs 25,000 for contempt of court after arresting a man granted anticipatory bail. The court reprimanded both the police officer and a judicial officer for bias and high-handedness. Apologies were tendered, but the court remained critical of their actions.

The Supreme Court on Monday imposed a Rs 25,000 fine on a Gujarat police officer found guilty of contempt of court for arresting a man who had been granted anticipatory bail by the apex court in a criminal case. Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta accepted the unconditional apology of a judicial officer also found guilty of contempt.

Reprimanding the judicial officer for showing 'bias' and acting in a 'high-handed manner' while granting police custody of the man who had received anticipatory bail, the apex court held her and the police officer guilty of contempt on August 7.

During Monday's hearing on the sentence, judicial officer Deepaben Sanjaykumar Thakar and police officer R Y Raval were present. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Gujarat, urged the bench to show compassion, noting both officers had apologized for their mistake. However, the bench observed that Raval was accused of tampering with CCTV evidence and giving third-degree treatment to the man.

(With inputs from agencies.)