Delhi High Court Imposes Penalties for Assault on Court Officials Investigating Counterfeit Goods
New Delhi, India – August 23, 2025 - The Delhi High Court has delivered a strong message regarding the sanctity of judicial process, convicting twelve individuals of criminal contempt and sentencing them to one day in simple imprisonment, alongside a fine of ₹2,000 each. The conviction stems from a 2015 incident where court-appointed Advocate Commissioners were violently assaulted while investigating the sale of counterfeit Samsung mobile phones in Kolkata.
Key Takeaways:
Criminal Contempt Conviction: Twelve individuals were found guilty of obstructing justice and interfering with the court’s mandate.
assault on Officials: The Advocate Commissioners were attacked by a mob while conducting raids in Kolkata’s Khidderpore and Fancy Market areas.
strong Judicial Statement: The court emphasized the need to uphold the “majesty of law” and deter interference in judicial proceedings.
Samsung Counterfeit Case: The incident originated from a suit filed by Samsung Electronics against local traders selling fake products.
Details of the Ruling
the detailed 44-page judgment, delivered by Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, underscored the severity of the offense. The court stated that failing to address such interference “with heavy hands” would erode public trust in the legal system and damage the “fabric of society.”
The Advocate Commissioners were tasked with raiding shops suspected of selling counterfeit samsung products - including mobile phones, tablets, and accessories - following a complaint by Samsung Electronics. During the raids on January 13, 2015, the team was met with hostility and physically attacked by a large group attempting to prevent the examination.
Advocate Shravan Sahary, one of the Commissioners, testified that he sustained meaningful injuries, including damage to his eye, cheek, and teeth.Other Commissioners and accompanying police officers were also reportedly beaten.
Despite unconditional apologies offered by the convicted individuals, the court deemed the severity of the assault and the deliberate attempt to obstruct justice warranted punishment. The court referenced the Supreme Court’s judgment in Jhareswar Prasad Paul v. tarak Nath Ganguly (2002),highlighting the importance of maintaining respect for the judiciary as a cornerstone of a democratic society.
“The purpose of contempt jurisdiction is to uphold the majesty and dignity of the courts of law…the democratic fabric of society will suffer if respect for the judiciary is undermined,” the court stated.
The court clarified that this ruling pertains specifically to the contempt proceedings and will not impact any separate criminal cases arising from the incident, which will be decided based on self-reliant evidence.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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