Delhi High Court Sentences YouTuber-Advocate To Jail In Contempt Case Over ‘Taanashahi’ Remarks Against Judiciary

The Delhi High Court sentenced YouTuber-advocate Gulshan Pahuja to six months’ simple imprisonment after holding him guilty of criminal contempt for making scandalous remarks against the judiciary and lowering the authority of the court. A Division Bench of Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja observed that the contemnor repeatedly attacked the judicial system, including describing court functioning as “manmarzi” and comparing it to “taanashahi” during the hearing itself.

The court noted that Pahuja showed no remorse for his conduct and instead continued making allegations against judges despite earlier restraint orders. Rejecting his plea that the conviction suffered from procedural irregularities, the Bench clarified that the sentencing stage could not be used to reopen the findings already recorded in the April 21, 2026 judgment holding him guilty under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

The High Court further observed that imposing only a monetary penalty would be insufficient in such circumstances, especially when the contemnor continued to justify his statements as an attempt to “improve the judicial system.” Consequently, the Bench imposed the maximum punishment of six months’ imprisonment along with a fine of ₹2,000 in each contempt case, with both sentences directed to run concurrently.