[Breaking] Suo Motu Contempt Proceedings against Yatin Oza: Gujarat HC imposes fine of Rs. 2,000 on Oza

A Division Bench of Justices Sonia Gokani and NV Anjaria has sentenced former Gujarat High Court Advocates Association President Yatin Oza with a fine of Rs. 2,000 and punishment till the court rises for contempt of court over his statements concerning alleged corruption on the part of the Court's registry during a Facebook press conference..If Oza defaults on complying with the sentence, the Court added that he would be liable to imprisonment for two months..The sentence, however, has been stayed till the prescribed statutory period of appeal ends, to allow Oza to file an appeal. A request to the effect was made by Senior Advocate Mihir Joshi..Yesterday, the Bench declared its finding of guilt against him for his statements..Breaking: Gujarat High Court holds Yatin Oza guilty of contempt of Court.The Operative Portion of the Judgment read:."In view of the discussion above, this Court in exercise of powers conferred upon it under Article 215 of the Constitution of India and section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, holds the Respondent contemner (Oza) guilty of committing criminal contempt of this Court within the meaning of section 2(c)(i) of the Contempt of Courts Act,1971..On September 30, the Bench had reserved the matter for orders..In June this year, the Gujarat High Court issued a suo motu criminal contempt notice to the President of the Gujarat High Court Advocates' Association (GHCAA) Yatin Oza citing irresponsible, sensational and intemperate allegations of corruption levelled against the High Court and its Registry by Oza in a live press conference via Facebook..Following a long, much-publicised series of exchanges between Oza and the High Court, and a reference to the Supreme Court, the lawyer finally tendered his apology.."Oza gets emotionally carried away."Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, before the Supreme Court."If you do not respect the institution then how will youngsters respect it?" Supreme Court says as Yatin Oza tenders unconditional apology.Finding his apology insincere, a High Court Bench of Justices Sonia Gokani and NV Anjaria rejected this apology and refused to discharge Oza from the contempt case..A similar stance was taken by a Full Bench of the High Court on August 26, while rejecting Oza's plea against the withdrawal of his Senior gown over his controversial remarks..[Breaking] "No more than a paper apology": Gujarat HC Full Court rejects Yatin Oza's apology in plea to re-confer his Senior Gown.After arguments that neither the amicus curiae nor anyone else has claimed that Oza's supposedly contemptuous statements were false, and a counter from the amicus curiae, the matter was reserved for judgment. .Amicus curiae Shalin Mehta asserted that a Three-Judge Committee appointed by the Chief Justice of the High Court had refuted Oza's "baseless" claims. The Court ordered the Report to be taken on record before closing hearings.