Navi Mumbai Resident Jailed for Contempt Over Derogatory Comments on Judiciary in Stray Dog Dispute

MUMBAI: A Navi Mumbai man has been sentenced to seven days of plain imprisonment and ₹2,000 fine for contempt of court for circulating a strongly worded letter denouncing judges in relation to a housing society dispute over feeding stray dogs.

The Bombay High Court ruled on Wednesday as a division bench of Justices GS Kulkarni and Advait Sethna held Seawoods Estate Housing Society cultural director Vineeta Srinandan guilty of criminal contempt. The controversial letter, “How Democracy is Being Crushed by Judicial System,” was sent to 1,500 residents on January 29 and included sweeping charges against judges of the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court.

The controversy arose out of a January 21 High Court order that prevented the Seawoods society from preventing residents’ domestic staff from feeding stray dogs. The court’s judgment emphasized the significance of animal welfare, in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, claiming that animals are entitled to food, water, and care while balancing the residents’ interests.

At the behest of the court’s order, Srinandan distributed the inflammatory letter, which the judges described as “derogatory, objectionable and scandalising in nature.” When the judges came to know of the letter, they launched suo motu criminal contempt proceedings.

In a sequel to the furore, the board of directors of the Seawoods Estate dissociated itself from the actions of Srinandan. The board apologised unconditionally, stating the circular was published without due consultation or approval and did not bear the views of the society nor its governing council.

While the apology by the board was maintained, the court insisted that Srinandan was entirely to blame for her actions. The bench indicated that publication of the letter “completely satisfies the ingredients of criminal contempt,” as it came out while the case was on and was a deliberate step towards influencing public opinion while eroding the judiciary’s authority.

“The remarks are calculated, crafted and phrased to attribute motive against the court and the judges,” the judges said, reiterating that the letter aimed to instil distrust and bias against the court system. The judges held that the contemnor undoubtedly attempted to scandalize the court.

The sentence has been kept in abeyance for ten days by the court to provide Srinandan an opportunity to approach the Supreme Court for relief.