NAJMI WAZIRI, J.

1. After 26 judges of the Delhi High Court had recused themselves from hearing this and another criminal contempt petition (Cont Cas (Crl.) 9/2014) the Hon”ble Chief Justice has constituted this Special Division Bench to adjudicate upon the two pending petitions against the respondent, Deepak Khosla - an advocate, who has appeared before the Court.

Background/ Issue of Show Cause Notice

2. On 11.10.2013, while arguing certain applications in LPA 16/2012, the respondent referred to the Bench comprising Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Hon’ble Mr. Justice R.V. Easwar, as “Dedh Bench” (Hindustani equivalent of one-and-half Bench). Recording this expression, the order dated 11.10.2013, noted that it would take a view on this expression at the time of final disposal of CM No. 2392/2013.

3. By a detailed order dated 28.03.2014, the Bench comprising of the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Kailash Gambhir and Hon’ble Mr. Justice R.V. Easwar, directed initiation of suo moto contempt proceedings against the respondent. The relevant portion of the order is reproduced as under:

“Suo motu contempt proceedings:

13. On 11.10.2013 this Bench was hearing certain miscellaneous ap