Court Overturns Unusual Contempt Sentence for Defendants

A Delhi court overturned a magistrate's order requiring defendants to stand with raised hands, calling it illegal. The ruling, involving defendants Kuldeep and Rakesh, highlighted judicial errors and upheld fundamental rights. The initial order, deemed improper, was issued due to defendants failing to furnish bail bonds.

A Delhi court has overturned a controversial ruling by a magistrate that ordered defendants to stand with their hands raised for a day, after finding them guilty of contempt. Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna found the magistrate's decision illegal and not in line with legal procedures.

The case involved Kuldeep and Rakesh, whose actions were initially seen as contempt, as they had failed to provide bail bonds. However, Judge Chandna ruled that this failure did not meet the legal threshold for contempt, and that the punishment imposed was inappropriate.

The court emphasized the importance of following due legal process and protecting fundamental human rights. It chastised the magistrate for not allowing the defendants to present their case and advised a better understanding of legal provisions before exercising judicial discretion. The initial order, passed by Judicial Magistrate Saurabh Goyal, was subsequently set aside.

(With inputs from agencies.)