JUDGMENT

Ruma Pal, J.-The allegations in this contempt application relate to an incident which is alleged to have taken place on 30th December, 2000. According to the petition on that day, the respondents led a huge crowd and held a dharna in front of this Court and shouted abusive slogans against this Court including slogans ascribing lack of integrity and dishonesty to the Institution. This was done in the presence of the media. The petition alleges that the petitioners protested but were attacked and assaulted by the respondents who called them "brokers" of this Court. The petition goes on to state that that evening at 6.00 P.M. while the petitioners were watching the police officials trying to disperse the crowd, the respondents again attacked, abused and assaulted the petitioners. On the text day at 1.00 P.M. the petitioners lodged a complaint with the Tilak Marg, Police Station. A copy of the complaint has been annexed to the petition. According to the petition the dharna, slogan shouting and assault on the petitioners were designed to compel the Court to decide a pending application filed by the respondents before this Court in the respondent s favour.

2. Given the allegati