June 12, 2025 - The Supreme Court of India has firmly declined to reduce the 18-month jail sentence of advocate Sanjay Rathore, who was convicted for verbally abusing and threatening a woman Metropolitan Magistrate during a court hearing in 2015. In its verdict delivered on June 10, 2025, in the case Sanjay Rathore vs. State (Govt. of NCT Delhi), the top Court upheld the Delhi High Court’s decision and emphasised that such behaviour from a lawyer undermines the dignity of the judiciary and cannot be condoned.

The incident occurred at the Karkardooma Court Complex in Delhi, where Rathore, after learning that his matter had already been adjourned, reacted violently inside the courtroom. According to the complainant judge, Rathore shouted, used obscene and disrespectful language and issued threats. He allegedly advanced toward the dais, disrupted proceedings and made an extremely vulgar remark directed at the presiding Judge, causing a serious breach of courtroom decorum. 

An FIR was filed, and he was booked under several sections of the IPC, including Sections 186, 189, 228, 354A, 509, and 353.

The Delhi High Court, in its strongly worded judgement, observed that advocates must conduct themselves with the utmost respect for the judiciary. 

Justice Dr Swarana Kanta Sharma noted that Rathore’s conduct insulted the Court’s authority and the dignity of a woman judicial officer. The High Court dismissed his plea to reduce the sentence, reasoning that taking a lenient view would “amount to doing injustice to justice.” 

While upholding the conviction, the High Court modified the order to allow the sentences to run concurrently rather than consecutively.

At the Supreme Court, Rathore did not challenge his conviction but requested a reduction in sentence, citing his clean record, expressed remorse and the time already spent in custody. However, the Apex Court bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan declined his request, asserting that such misconduct cannot be excused under the guise of mitigating factors. The Bench stated unequivocally, “No, no. What mitigating factors? After this sentence, you cannot argue anything. We cannot entertain this petition.”

The ruling sends a strong signal that the judiciary will not tolerate any form of disrespect or threat to its officers, particularly women judges. The Court’s refusal to reduce the sentence reinforces the principle that members of the legal profession must uphold not only the law but also the dignity of those who administer it. The Apex Court granted Rathore two weeks to surrender and complete the remaining term of his sentence, underlining that no individual, regardless of status, is above the law.