On Wednesday, April 23, the Bombay High Court sentenced a Navi Mumbai resident to seven days’ simple imprisonment for allegedly circulating a letter criticising judges over a housing society dispute concerning the feeding of stray dogs, as per the report by Hindustan Times. A fine of INR 2000 was imposed as well.
A division bench of Justices G.S. Kulkarni and Advait Sethna have found Vineeta Srinandan, the cultural director of Seawoods Estate Housing Society, guilty of criminal contempt of court. The ruling comes after Srinandan authored and circulated a letter titled “How Democracy is Being Crushed by the Judicial System”, which was distributed to approximately 1,500 residents on January 29.
The circular contained sweeping and serious allegations directed at judges of both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court, prompting the court to take a stern view of the matter.
The controversy stems from a Bombay High Court order dated January 21, which barred the Seawoods Estate Housing Society from restricting residents' domestic staff from feeding stray dogs. The court emphasised that, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, animals have a legal right to food, water, and care. The ruling sought to strike a balance between residents’ concerns and animal welfare.
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In response, Vineeta Srinandan issued a sharply worded circular that the court later described as “derogatory, objectionable, and scandalising in nature.” After learning of the letter, the bench initiated suo motu criminal contempt proceedings, citing the serious nature of the allegations made against the judiciary.
The Seawoods Estate’s board of directors distanced itself from Srinandan’s actions and issued an unconditional apology. Irrespective of the apology, the court held Srinandan solely accountable. “We have no manner of doubt that the publication… fully satisfies the ingredients of criminal contempt,” observed the bench.
“The comments are well-calculated, designed, and articulated to ascribe motives towards the court and the judges,” the bench noted. “They are intended to create a feeling of distrust and prejudice… The contemnor certainly intended to scandalise the court.”The court stayed the sentence for a period of ten days, allowing Vineeta Srinandan the opportunity to approach the Supreme Court to seek relief.
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