The Delhi High Court asked director Vivek Agnihotri to remain present before it on April 10 in the contempt proceedings over remarks against Justice S Muralidhar. The Delhi HC was hearing a suo motu criminal contempt case against Vivek Agnihotri and others over remarks against Justice Muralidhar in 2018.
Vivek Agnihotri was asked to remain present in Court on Thursday after he expressed his “unconditional apology” to “show remorse in person.”
In 2018, Agnihotri allegedly made certain remarks over Twitter against Justice Muralidhar after the judge quashed the order of house arrest and transit remand of Gautam Navlakha in the Bhima Koregaon case. The High Court had proceeded ex parte suo motu against Vivek Agnihotri, Anand Ranganathan and news portal Swarajya for their comments against Justice Muralidhar.
The court is informed that Agnihotri has already tendered an unconditional apology. The director intended to show up at the court but was forced to stay at home on medical grounds.
When his counsel informed that the flu-affected Agnihotri was available virtually, the High Court said he must come to the court in person. “You can say when he will come before us. Give us a date,” the counsel was told.
“We’re not asking. We have directed you to remain present! There’s no question,” the Court said.
The HC had earlier said Vivek Agnihotri was asked to remain present because he is the contemnor. “Does he have any difficulty if he has to express remorse in person? The remorse cannot always be expressed by way of an affidavit,” the HC said.
