Retired IPS officer who accused Dhoni of match-fixing gets relief from Supreme Court, Madras High Court stays sentence

The High Court had said in its order that Kumar had deliberately attempted to defame this court and the Supreme Court and undermine their authority. The High Court had said that Kumar, by his specific words, had made indecent remarks on the judiciary to defame and undermine the dignity and majesty of this court as well as the apex court. The high court had said Kumar was a responsible police officer who had the opportunity to investigate the crime.

According to news agency PTI, the High Court had said that freedom of speech and expression cannot be expanded to dilute the statutory limits contained in the Contempt of Court Act. Since maintaining the dignity of the courts is one of the key principles of the rule of law, no publication or public speech can be permitted.

The High Court had said that the Contempt of Court Act is designed to secure public respect and confidence in the judiciary as an institution. The court had said, "If persons like Sampat Kumar are allowed to disturb public confidence in the impartial administration of justice, it must be considered an attack on the judiciary."