The Supreme Court has set aside a sentence of simple imprisonment imposed by the Bombay High Court on a contemnor who had criticized the judiciary in a circular regarding the stray dog menace. The Bench held that the power to punish for contempt carries the “concomitant power to forgive” when an individual demonstrates genuine remorse.

The Division Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta allowed the appeal filed by Vineeta Srinandan, observing that the High Court failed to exercise its contempt jurisdiction with due circumspection by rejecting an unconditional apology tendered at the earliest opportunity.

Background of the Dispute

The case originated from a circular dated January 29, 2025, issued by the Appellant, Vineeta Srinandan, who was then the Director (Cultural)

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