SC issues contempt notice to man for throwing ink on Subrata Roy

New Delhi, Mar 5: The

on Wednesday took suo motu cognisance of ink throwing incident by a man at

chief

on court premises and issued contempt notice to him.

Holding that the throwing of ink on Roy while he was being brought under police custody "prima facie indicate obstruction in the administration of justice", a bench headed by Justice R M Lodha issued notice to Manoj Sharma seeking his response why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.

"This incident prima facie indicates obstruction in the administration of justice which amounts to contempt of court," the bench said, asking Sharma to respond within three weeks.

The bench also asked Attorney General G E Vahanvati about the mental condition of Sharma. The AG said there is nothing to suggest about his mental condition and that he seems to be publicity hunger as he had earlier thrown a shoe at Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi.

Vahanvati informed the bench that he got a fake death certificate issued in the name of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The bench posted the case for hearing on March 24.

Sharma, who hails from Gwalior, had yesterday thrown ink on the face of 65-year-old Roy when he was being brought to the Supreme Court amidst chaotic scenes.

Sharma was then beaten up by some lawyers who had gathered there and later was taken by the police to Tilak Marg police station.

PTI