Facts
The Petitioner filed contempt petitions alleging non-compliance by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) regarding directions to take action against unauthorized constructions in South Delhi
Source reference: p. 3, para. 1-2During proceedings, a Compliance Report filed by the SHO of PS Malviya Nagar revealed a suspected extortion scam
Source reference: p. 3, para. 3-4One Mr. Narayan Kumar Kashyap, whose name appeared as the petitioner for "Universal Human Right Foundation," appeared in person and testified that while he signed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) at the behest of Advocates Mr. S.K. Shukla and Mr. Prashant Chauhan to settle a personal dispute, he never authorized or signed the subsequent contempt petitions
Source reference: p. 5-6, para. 6-10He alleged his signatures on the court documents and additional affidavits were forged
Source reference: p. 6, para. 11Issues
1. Whether the process of the Court was being systematically abused by a nexus of individuals to extort money from property owners under the guise of litigation against unauthorized construction
Source reference: p. 3, para. 3; p. 7, para. 162. Whether the signatures of the purported petitioner were forged in the contempt proceedings, warranting criminal and disciplinary investigation
Source reference: p. 6, para. 11; p. 7, para. 17Law Applied
The court applied the inherent powers of the High Court to prevent the abuse of the process of the court and ensure the administration of justice is not subverted by fraud or criminal conspiracy
Source reference: p. 7, para. 16It relied on the regulatory framework governing professional conduct for advocates under the Bar Council of Delhi and the criminal investigative powers of the Delhi Police under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita/CrPC for investigating forgery and extortion
Source reference: p. 7, para. 17Reasoning
The Court examined the testimony of Mr. Kashyap alongside the SHO’s Compliance Report, finding "shocking facts" that pointed to a "scam"
Source reference: p. 3, para. 3The Court noted a clear "nexus" between specific advocates and individuals who allegedly filed petitions not for public interest, but as a lever to extort money from property owners
Source reference: p. 5, para. 5; p. 7, para. 16The Court found that the petitioner’s claim—that his signatures were forged on the CONT.CAS(C) 1355/2024 and 350/2025 petitions—indicated a serious criminal interference with judicial proceedings
Source reference: p. 6, para. 11Consequently, the Court determined that the matter exceeded the scope of mere contempt and required a formal investigation into the professional conduct of the advocates involved and a criminal probe into the alleged extortion racket
Source reference: p. 7, para. 17Holding
the matter is referred to the Bar Council of Delhi to investigate the conduct of Advocates Mr. S.K. Shukla and Mr. Prashant Chauhan
the matter is referred to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South District, for a criminal investigation, including the lodging of an FIR for forgery and extortion against the named parties and any other associates
Source reference: p. 7, para. 17(III-IV)The Court held that the judicial process cannot be used as a tool for illegal financial gain
Source reference: p. 7, para. 16Original Court PDF
Universal Human Right OfundationvsGovt Of Nct Of Delhi & Ors.
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