High Court of Karnataka Vs H.P. Sabjan (Karnataka High Court)
“Match-Fixing” Charge Against Trial Court Lands Advocate in Jail: Karnataka HC Awards 15 Days’ Imprisonment and Refers Matter to Bar Council
Suo Motu Criminal Contempt Against Advocate
In High Court of Karnataka v. H.P. Sabjan, Criminal Contempt Petition No. 2 of 2026, decided on 18.09.2026, the Karnataka High Court sentenced an advocate to 15 days’ simple imprisonment for making a serious and baseless allegation that the Trial Court had delivered its judgment through “match-fixing” and thereafter accusing the High Court itself of creating a false, fabricated and forged order to implicate him in contempt proceedings.
Considering the nature of the misconduct and the advocate’s demeanour before the Court, the Division Bench directed that he be taken into custody forthwith. The Registry was also directed to communicate the order to the Bar Council for initiating appropriate proceedings and examining whether he was fit to continue in the legal profession.
Allegation of “Match-Fixing” Against Trial Court
The contempt proceedings originated from an order dated 15.09.2025 passed by a Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court in Criminal Appeal No. 1054/2018. During the hearing of that appeal, the Court noticed that the appellant’s aged parents were waiting and therefore took up the matter for hearing.
