The Delhi High Court has upheld the conviction of a lawyer for outraging the modesty of a woman judicial officer, reaffirming the seriousness of misconduct within the judiciary.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, presiding over a single-judge bench, stressed the need for firm action in cases that compromise the dignity of judicial institutions.

The case dates back to 2015, when a woman judicial officer filed a complaint accusing the lawyer of insulting her and violating her modesty, thereby degrading the authority of the court. Following a trial under Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code, which penalizes words or gestures intended to insult the modesty of a woman, the trial court found the lawyer guilty and sentenced him to imprisonment.

Rejecting the plea for leniency in sentencing, Justice Sharma underscored that female judicial officers must never be left feeling vulnerable or subjected to disrespect, noting:

“The female force within the judiciary must never be left feeling helpless or as though they are to be treated at someone else’s pleasure.”

The Court observed that the issue extended beyond the individual complainant, highlighting the broader challenges faced by women in the justice system:

“When a male advocate uses his position to violate the dignity of a female judicial officer, the issue is no longer of an individual judicial officer being subjected to misconduct—it becomes a reflection of the persistent challenge faced by women even in institutions which have been entrusted with the duty of upholding justice for all.”

The judgment also emphasized that such behavior erodes the very foundations of judicial decorum and institutional integrity.

While maintaining the conviction, the court ordered that the lawyer’s sentences run concurrently rather than consecutively, meaning he will serve a total of 18 months in prison. He has already completed 5 months and 17 days in custody.

In conclusion, the bench reiterated that any act diminishing the dignity of a judicial officer strikes at the heart of the justice system, and cannot be treated lightly.