In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's conviction of trade unionists and communist leaders for contempt of court after they made public statements accusing judges of corruption, bias, and partiality while granting anticipatory bail in a murder case. The court held that while citizens have freedom of speech, vituperative accusations against judicial integrity scandalise the court and lower its authority. The statements did not qualify as fair criticism. The court approved guilt but reduced the sentence from imprisonment plus fine to fine only, considering the matter occurred 15 years earlier. The appellants' apology was deemed not bona fide.
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