Latest news with #Srinandan
Scroll.in
24-04-2025
- Scroll.in
Bombay HC sentences woman to a week in jail after she accuses judges of being part of ‘dog mafia'
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday sentenced a woman to a week in jail for circulating a letter that accused High Court and Supreme Court judges of being part of a 'dog mafia', Live Law reported. In January, the Bombay High Court had issued an order stopping a Navi Mumbai housing society from stopping a resident, Leela Verma, from feeding stray dogs. Verma's petition followed one filed by Seawoods Estates Limited, the housing society, which had challenged a provision in the 2023 Animal Birth Control Rules, pertaining to the management of stray dogs. During the proceedings, Verma submitted an application claiming her fundamental rights were being violated by the society's actions, Bar and Bench reported. Verma had alleged that the society's managing committee had barred a domestic worker from entering her home for feeding stray dogs. The High Court ruled that the society's actions violated Verma's fundamental rights by denying entry to her domestic worker solely for feeding the dogs, The Indian Express reported. Following the court's order, Vineeta Srinandan, the cultural director of the housing society at the time, sent a letter to 1,500 flats in the complex, alleging judicial bias. 'Now we are convinced that there is a big dog mafia operating in the country, who has a list of High Court and Supreme Court judges having views similar to the dog feeders,' Bar and Bench quoted the letter as having said. 'No matter how many people are dying or attacked in the country every year, but most of the High Court/Supreme Court orders will defend dog feeders ignoring the value of human life,' the letter added. It also alleged that the High Court 'made fun of' and 'outrightly rejected' a video that purportedly showed a dog attacking a girl in the housing society. Following this, in February, the High Court issued a show-cause notice to Srinandan asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against her. A bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Advait M Sethna held her letter to be 'brazen and derogatory' adding that the comments 'lowers dignity of the court and also interferes in administration of justice'. The court also directed the housing society's managing committee to pass a resolution expressing regret and remorse over Srinandan's conduct and the tone of her letter, The Indian Express reported. In response, the housing society claimed the letter was never approved by its board of directors and distanced itself from Srinandan's actions. The court dropped the proceedings against the housing society, Bar and Bench reported. Srinandan also filed an affidavit saying that she regretted her letter and claimed that she acted under pressure from other residents. However, on Wednesday, the High Court ruled that her comments showed a clear disregard for the court, highlighting that describing the court as 'dog mafia' was inappropriate. 'We do not accept any apology, which does not show any contrition or any genuine remorse,' the court said. 'Such apology in our opinion, is merely a weapon in defence with an impression that the contemnor can get away by such recitals.' However, following a request from Srinandan's lawyer, the High Court suspended the sentence for 10 days to allow her time to file an appeal.
India Today
24-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Mumbai woman calls judges 'dog mafia', sentenced to one week of imprisonment
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday sentenced a woman to simple imprisonment in a contempt of court Srinandan, a resident and Cultural Director of Seawoods housing society in Navi Mumbai, was sentenced to one week of simple imprisonment for calling the judges of the High Court and Supreme Court as part of a "dog mafia".The sentence was, however, suspended for 10 days at the request of Srinandan's legal representatives, allowing her time to challenge the order before the Supreme The contempt proceedings were initiated suo motu after Srinandan circulated written material within the Seawoods residential colony that scandalised the judiciary and interfered with the administration of justice, the court Srinandan was convicted after a document authored by her stating, "now we are convinced that there is a big dog mafia operating in the country, who has a list of High Court and Supreme Court judges..." was case pertains to a longstanding legal proceeding between residents of Seawoods Limited over the issue of feeding stray dogs, in which a rule under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 - mandating residential associations to accommodate the feeding of stray animals - had been challenged by the part of the legal proceedings, an Intervention Application was filed by Leela Verma, a resident facing opposition while feeding dogs at designated places in January, the court issued an interim order restraining the society from preventing Leela Verma from feeding stray dogs. Subsequently, Leela Verma submitted an affidavit containing the contentious document authored and circulated by Vineeta document included statements alleging judicial bias and mockery of a reported dog attack incident. It read, in part: 'Now we are convinced that there is a big dog mafia operating in the country, who has a list of High Court and Supreme Court judges having views similar to the dog feeders... most of the high court/supreme court orders will defend dog feeders, ignoring the value of human life.'The court found these remarks deeply offensive, noting that the content was a "dedicated attempt" to undermine the dignity and authority of the judiciary. A show-cause notice was issued to Srinandan on February 7, and although she later submitted an affidavit with an unconditional apology, the court deemed it insincere."We do not accept any apology which does not show any contrition or any genuine remorse," the bench stated, adding that the apology appeared to be "a routine mantra of sorry" intended only as a legal court emphasised that such conduct, especially from an educated individual, reflected a conscious and calculated attempt to tarnish the judicial Watch
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Navi Mumbai resident jailed for contempt after derogatory remarks on judiciary over stray dog row
MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court (HC) on Wednesday sentenced a Navi Mumbai resident to seven days' simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹2,000 for contempt of court after she allegedly circulated a sharply worded letter criticising judges over a housing society dispute concerning the feeding of stray dogs. A division bench comprising Justices GS Kulkarni and Advait Sethna found Vineeta Srinandan, cultural director of Seawoods Estate Housing Society, guilty of criminal contempt after she authored and circulated a letter titled 'How Democracy is Being Crushed by Judicial System'. The circular, distributed to 1,500 residents on January 29, contained sweeping allegations against judges of the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court. The controversy traces back to a High Court order from January 21, which restrained the Seawoods society from preventing residents' domestic staff from feeding stray dogs. The court underscored that under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, animals are entitled to food, water, and care. The order was aimed at balancing residents' concerns with animal welfare. Srinandan, however, responded with the inflammatory circular, which the court deemed 'derogatory, objectionable and scandalising in nature.' The judges initiated suo motu criminal contempt proceedings upon becoming aware of the document. In a notable development, the Seawoods Estate's board of directors distanced itself from Srinandan's actions. The board issued an unconditional apology, stating that the circular was issued without consultation or approval and did not reflect the views of the society or its governing body. Despite 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 judges pointed out that the letter, issued during the pendency of the case, was a calculated attempt to influence public perception and undermine the authority of the judiciary. '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 ten days, granting Srinandan time to approach the Supreme Court for relief.
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Business Standard
23-04-2025
- Business Standard
Navi Mumbai woman says judges part of 'dog mafia', HC sends her to jail
Have you ever heard of a 'dog mafia' involving the courts? Neither had the Bombay High Court, until a woman floated the idea in a circular she then distributed around her neighbourhood. It didn't go down well with the Milords. The Bombay High Court on Wednesday sentenced a Navi Mumbai woman to one week in jail and imposed a fine of ₹2,000 for accusing the court for being a part of a 'dog mafia', reported Bar and Bench. The bench of Justices GS Kulkarni and Advait M Sethna said, "the contemnor is guilty of having committed criminal contempt of Court and accordingly, deserves maximum punishment to be awarded." "The iron hands of law apply equally irrespective of the category of the contemnors. However, in the facts and circumstances of the case, we intend to impose a lesser punishment," the court ordered. What's the case? Navi Mumbai-based housing society Seawoods Estates Limited filed a petition challenging a rule in the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 related to the management of stray dogs. During the course of the hearing, Leela Verma, a resident in the same society, sought to join the proceedings, arguing that the society's conduct was impacting her basic rights, reported Bar and Bench. In her affidavit to the court, she attached a circular written by society's cultural director Vineeta Srinandan. The circular, published in January 2025 and distributed among 1,500 families, alleged that there existed a "big dog mafia operating in the country, who has a list of High Court and Supreme Court judges having views similar to the dog feeders." "No matter how many people are dying or attacked in the country every year but most of the high court/supreme court orders will defend dog feeders ignoring the value of human life," it added, the Bar and Bench report quoted. The circular prompted the court to issue a show cause notice for contempt to Srinandan and the society The society apologised and distanced itself from Srinandan's circular. The court then dropped legal proceedings against them. Srinandan also apologised, claiming that she acted under pressure from other residents. However, the court rejected her apology, sentencing her to a week in prison. "We do not accept any apology, which does not show any contrition or any genuine remorse," the court noted. "Such apology in our opinion, is merely a weapon in defence with an impression that the contemnor can get away by such recitals. Thus, such conduct of the contemnor cannot escape punishment, being a consequence of her severe contumacious acts of making scurrilous and scandalizing remarks against the Courts and the Judges. "We are also of the opinion that it is not expected from an educated person like that of the contemnor to make such comments in regard to the Courts and the Judges of the higher Courts like the Supreme Court and the High Courts. It cannot be believed that when the contemnor undertook such contumacious writing, she was not conscious or could be said to be unaware of the consequences of such writing," the court added. (With inputs from Bar and Bench.)
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bombay high court sentences Navi Mumbai woman for criminal contempt over dog feeding dispute
Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Wednesday held a Navi Mumbai woman of guilty of criminal contempt of court and sentenced her to a week's simple imprisonment for her "audacious attack on the court" through an article she wrote and circulated in a large residential complex on "dog feeder's mafia". The writing scandalised and lowered the dignity of the court and interfered with the administration of justice, held the HC. The contemnor, Vineeta Srinandan , "made serious insinuations against HC and Supreme Court judges", said a division bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Advait Sethna. On a request made by her senior counsel Vikram Nankani, the HC suspended the sentence for 10 days, to enable an appeal before the SC. The court had initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against the woman, a resident and former director of Seawoods Estates Ltd in Navi Mumbai. Seawoods had earlier petitioned the HC to challenge rule 20 of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules of 2023. It requires residents' welfare associations (RWAs) and apartment owners associations (AOAs) to enable feeding of strays on their premises and for local civic bodies to provide space and make arrangements to feed community animals. A resident, Leela Verma, in turn, expressed her grievances of being unlawfully stopped from feeding strays. In Jan, the HC, in an interim order, directed Seawoods not to obstruct Verma and also not to stop any domestic help from going to her house for her duties. Verma, through her lawyer S V Sonawane, had also cited "objectionable" content issued by Srinandan in the form of a circular dated Jan 29. The complex has around 1,500 families. After perusing the circular, the HC, on Feb 4, said contempt proceedings were required to be initiated for "such conscious, brazen, derogatory, and objectionable contents" considering the "impunity and tenor of her writings". However, at the time, she was not in India. On Feb 7, the HC issued Srinandan a show-cause contempt notice. On Feb 21, the HC noted that the board of directors of Seawoods Estate Ltd had completely disowned Srinandan's actions. Srinandan, in an affidavit, said that her writing was a "grave error" and she had resigned as Seawoods director, and taht she holds the judiciary in high regard. She sought pardon and leniency. The HC said a holistic reading of her reply shows no compunction for her "conscious actions", and it appeared to be a "whitewash". The HC said the contents of her article, right from its title, were a dedicated attempt and design calculated to bring the court and the judges into disrepute through her "reckless comments". Could such vilification be set to nought by accepting her "crocodile tears", wondered the court. The HC said she committed criminal contempt and deserved the maximum punishment—of six months—but it was giving her a lesser sentence. "The iron hands of law apply equally irrespective of the category of the contemnors," the HC observed as it also imposed on her a fine of Rs 2,000.
