Litigants get HC notice

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, April 10

Taking a tough stand on the issue of tampering with the court record, the HP High Court has issued show cause notices to two litigants that why they should not be prosecuted and punished under the Contempt of Courts Act.

While issuing notices, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan observed: “In the instant case, not only the applicants made false averments but have further committed perjury by interpolating the dates in the judgment.”

The applicants had filed an appeal before the High Court against the judgment passed by the Additional District Judge, Una, in a civil case. According to the applicants, the lower court passed the judgment on December 23, 2015 and a certified copy of the same was applied on December 26, 2015 and the same was attested by the registry of the lower court on November 5, 2016 and supplied on November 7, 2016.

However, record reveals that the applicants interpolated/tampered with the date of attestation whereby the month of attestation instead of January 5, 2016 has been shown as November 5, 2016.

Justice Chauhan further observed that “the interpolation and tampering made by the appellants were calculated to embarrass the court in the administration of justice. This not only amounts to perjury but there is also present the element of obstruction to the court in the performance of its duties.”

It further observed that “it appears to be deliberate and intentional and the conviction would reasonably be probable, such a course is definitely required to be followed in the interest of justice and is fully justified.”