Ganesh tenders unconditional apology, agrees to donate Rs 10L

Recording the submission, a division bench comprising Justice M M Sundaresh and Justice M Nirmal Kumar observed that the issue needs to be treated seriously, since the contempt has been initiated by a judge. However, the bench took note of the apology tendered by the duo and their willingness to donate for a cause.

The contempt case was initiated last month by Justice Anand Venkatesh accusing them of trying to influence him by deferring the course of the verdict in Nadigar Sangam elections.

Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran informed the Court that the Delhi High Court has been following a trend of tree plantation for contempt cases. However, Justice Sundaresh stated that it would be difficult to maintain once they are planted. But, Justice Nirmal Kumar felt that the planting of sapling be another condition in addition to the monetary payment.

Justice Sundaresh opined that the donation be made to benefit transgender persons and abandoned children. While the sum was initially Rs 5 lakh, it was increased to Rs 10 lakh. Based on this, the Court recorded that a sum of Rs 10 lakh be paid for the welfare of transgender persons and abandoned children within two weeks.

The contempt case relates to Ananthraman, known to Justice Anand Venkatesh, trying to influence the judge on behalf of Ishari Ganesh, who had wanted to ensure that the elections to the South Indian Film Artists Association (Nadigar Sangam) was not held on the scheduled date (June 23). Incidentally, Ishari Ganesh was pitted against actor Vishal in the said elections.