In Brief
The Supreme Court held three parties guilty of contempt of court in this case involving a criminal accused (Balbir @ Bali) who evaded arrest following cancellation of his bail in October 2013. The accused remained hospitalized for 527 days without legitimate medical justification, with hospital staff refusing discharge despite declaring him fit for court production. The Court found the respondent guilty of violating the bail-cancellation order and obstructing justice. The hospital's Medical Director and Managing Director were held guilty of contempt for knowingly extending asylum to aid the respondent's evasion. The judgment established that third parties not bound by court orders can still be liable for contempt if they knowingly interfere with administration of justice through aiding order violations. The Court granted one final opportunity for the contemnors to present mitigation before imposing sentence.
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