Supreme Court Sentences Contemnor to Imprisonment for Wilful Disobedience of Court Orders - 2025-03-17

Supreme Court Orders Imprisonment in Contempt Case for Disobedience of Court Directives

New Delhi, India – The Supreme Court of India has sentenced Dharmesh S. Jain to seven days of simple imprisonment for wilful disobedience of court orders. This ruling comes after Mr. Jain was found guilty of contempt for failing to comply with orders issued by both the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court.

The case originates from a Miscellaneous Application stemming from a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court, and a Notice of Motion in the Bombay High Court related to a Commercial Arbitration Petition. In an earlier order dated March 10, 2022, the Supreme Court had already held Mr. Jain guilty of contempt, specifically for disobeying the Supreme Court’s order dated October 28, 2021, and the Bombay High Court’s order dated August 8, 2019. The court then scheduled a hearing on March 22, 2022, to determine the quantum of sentence.

During the hearing on sentencing, the contemnors, represented by Senior Advocate Shri Vikas Singh, requested and were granted an opportunity to reach an amicable settlement with the petitioner or to comply with the previously issued court orders. However, despite this opportunity and “sufficient opportunities” provided by the court, the bench comprising Justices and noted in its order that neither was a settlement reached, nor were the court orders complied with.

The Court expressed its disappointment that even after being held guilty of contempt and given ample time, the contemnors failed to take corrective action. Referencing its judgment of March 10, 2022, where the guilt of wilful disobedience was established, the Supreme Court proceeded to pronounce the sentence.

“In furtherance of our earlier judgment and order dated 10.03.2022…we hereby sentence respondent No. 1- Dharmesh S. Jain to undergo seven days simple imprisonment,” the order stated. In addition to imprisonment, a fine of Rs. 5,00,000 was imposed on both respondents, payable to the Bombay High Court within two weeks. Out of this fine, Rs. 4,00,000 is directed to be paid to the petitioner, and Rs. 1,00,000 will be transferred to the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority.

Importantly, the Supreme Court provided a final window for compliance, suspending the sentence for two weeks. “...so as to give one last opportunity to the contemnor to purge the contempt and comply with the orders passed by the Bombay High Court as well as this Court, it is observed that the aforesaid sentence shall be kept in abeyance for a period of two weeks from today, failing which, the aforesaid sentence shall take effect…” If Mr. Jain fails to comply within this period, he will be required to surrender to serve the seven-day imprisonment.

This judgment underscores the Supreme Court's firm stance against the wilful disregard of court orders and reinforces the principle that compliance with judicial directives is paramount. The case now rests on whether Mr. Jain will utilize this final opportunity to purge the contempt and adhere to the orders of the High Court and Supreme Court.