In Brief
In this criminal appeal against conviction for contempt of court, the Supreme Court set aside the High Court's decision after finding procedural defects. The High Court had imposed punishment for criminal contempt without conducting any proper inquiry, relying solely on a reference from the Metropolitan Magistrate and the appellant's affidavit in response. The Court held this violated principles of natural justice. Additionally, the appellant had tendered an unconditional apology when asked about sentencing. The Supreme Court set aside both the conviction and sentence, allowing the appeal on grounds of procedural irregularity and acceptance of the apology as a mitigating factor.
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