Contempt of court cases: Lawyer produced before HC

AHMEDABAD: Slapped with 12 cases of contempt of court, advocate Devesh Bhatt was produced in the Gujarat high court on Monday. The court issued notice to Bhatt in all these cases for issuing legal notices to judicial officers, including the chief justice of Gujarat.

During the proceeding, Justice D H Waghela told Bhatt not to dash off any more legal notice to judges. "It's better to stop this, because this unnecessarily creates more work for everyone, which nobody likes," the judge said.

Under judicial custody at present, advocate Bhatt has been seeking bail from lower courts. A magisterial court refused him bail and his plea is pending before a sessions court. Bhatt submitted before the high court that since he has been arrested on the high court's directions, the lower courts feel hesitant in releasing him on bail. Hence the high court should do something in this regard. The bench, headed by Justice Waghela, told the lawyer that he has to approach the courts for bail as per the procedure only.

However, Justice Waghela also remarked that the pre-condition of releasing a person on bail is only after assurance that he does not commit the offence again. The court was reminding him of his frequent writing even after issuance of warrant against him. Bhatt used to send notices to judges accusing them of inaction and misuse of powers.

The proceeding was adjourned till July 28, after the lawyer demanded case papers for reply. The amicus curiae Asim Pandya too demanded copy of each of the cases.