The Delhi High Court Criminal Contempt Case involving businessman Nitin Bansal has culminated in a one-month jail sentence after the Court found him guilty of intimidating a court-appointed commissioner with a gun during a judicial inspection in Faridabad.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta observed that Bansal’s conduct “reflected a deliberate and evil motive towards interference in the administration of justice.”
The Court held him guilty of criminal contempt under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, sentencing him to simple imprisonment for one month along with a fine of ₹2,000, with a default sentence of an additional fifteen days.
The case originated from a dispute over 30,000 tonnes of industrial coal involving Bansal’s father, Ashok Bansal. In May 2024, the High Court had restrained the elder Bansal from dealing with the coal stock.
Following allegations of non-compliance, the Court appointed Advocate Nandini Bali as a Local Commissioner to inspect the firm’s premises.
During the inspection, Nitin Bansal allegedly arrived in an aggressive manner, placed a pistol on the table, and threatened the commissioner and the accompanying police officials. The police subsequently seized the unlicensed firearm.
Although Bansal claimed it was a toy gun used to scare animals, the weapon produced in Court was confirmed to be a real air gun. The Bench rejected his “false and misleading” defence and dismissed his “lip-service” apology.
The Court observed that such non-cooperative behaviour and use of a gun during judicial proceedings amounted to clear obstruction of justice.
Consequently, Bansal was held guilty of criminal contempt. While the Bench initially ordered his immediate custody, considering a family wedding, it directed him to surrender by November 6.
Senior Advocate MC Dhingra, along with Advocates Nihal Ahmad, HR Khan, and Kashif Salman, appeared for the contemnor.
Bench and Case Details
- Case Title: Court on its own motion v Nitin Bansal
- Bench: Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta
- Date of Judgment: October 29, 2025
- Citation: Criminal Contempt Proceedings under Section 12, Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
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