'Don't Mind Criticism Of Judiciary, But Should Be In Proper Way': Top Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it does not mind criticism of the judiciary, but there should not be sweeping allegations of any kind.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N Kotiswar Singh cautioned a social activist, Pardeep Sharma, who has made certain allegations against judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

"You have raised several good causes, but you can't make sweeping allegations against anyone. We don't mind criticism of the judiciary, but it should be in the proper way," the bench told the counsel, appearing for the petitioner.

The counsel informed the bench that the high court, while purging the contempt on Sharma tendering an unconditional apology, has directed the planting of saplings of trees.

Justice Kant remarked that Chandigarh was in serious need of greenery, and it is good that the high court ordered so.

It is noted in the order, "Counsel for the petitioner informs that in deference to the order dated September 15, 2025, the petitioner had tendered an unconditional apology as well as an undertaking before the high court. Demonstrating magnanimity, the high court has accepted the unconditional apology and has discharged the petitioner from the contempt proceedings." The top court disposed of the plea in which Sharma had challenged the high court order.

On September 15, the top court noted the submission of senior advocate Devadatt Kamat that Sharma genuinely repents the mistake committed by him of sending e-mails between 2023-2025 in violation of the undertaking given by his family members before the high court by way of an affidavit.

It noted that the undertaking was duly reproduced by the high court in its order dated May 29, 2023.

Kamat had submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to tender an unconditional apology by way of an affidavit before the high court as well as this court.

The bench had noted, "Though it is explained that none of the e-mails were posted in the public domain, however, the petitioner wishes to give an undertaking that he shall not do so in future and will further pray before the high court to file/close all the e-mails earlier sent by him." It had ordered that subject to Sharma filing undertakings by way of affidavits before the division bench of the high court on September 17, 2025 as well as before this court, the high court may forgive the petitioner and take a lenient view with an endeavour to close the suo motu proceedings and not to take any coercive action against him subject to such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate to be imposed on the petitioner. 

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