Bombay High Court Slams Top Bureaucrat Over Open-Court Outburst In Middle Of Hearing

The Bombay High Court has initiated criminal contempt proceedings against Maharashtra Law and Judiciary Secretary Dilip Thumre after he shouted at a division bench and blamed court administrators for administrative delays.

A division bench comprising Justice Ajay Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata issued a show-cause notice to the senior bureaucrat, observing that his aggressive behaviour in open court directly undermined the authority and dignity of the judiciary.

Loud Outburst in Court

The confrontation unfolded during the hearing of an interim application linked to a public interest litigation regarding the operationalisation of fast-track courts across Maharashtra. The state government had submitted an additional affidavit, sworn by Thumre, asserting that 179 new posts had been created to bolster these courts.

When the bench asked the additional public prosecutor to point out specific details within the sworn document, the law officer failed to provide a clear response. The bench then summoned Thumre, who was present in the courtroom, to explain the contents of his affidavit.

Instead of clarifying the points raised by the judges, Thumre began speaking in an aggressive, elevated tone that bordered on shouting. He accused the High Court's own administration of failing to fill the 179 newly sanctioned posts.

Apology Rejected

The bench expressed sharp disapproval over the bureaucrat's conduct, noting that as a former judicial officer himself, Thumre was well aware of court decorum. The judges remarked that while every advocate and official is required to maintain dignity in the courtroom, such insubordination from a senior official serving the state government was unacceptable.

Advocate General Birendra Saraf, representing the state, declined to justify the secretary's behaviour and urged the court to accept an unconditional apology. The bench firmly rejected the plea, stating that a senior official cannot display outrageous conduct in open court and expect to walk away by merely offering a post-facto apology.

The High Court has formally asked Thumre to show cause why he should not be punished for contempt of court. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on 11 September.