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While the Supreme Court opted not to use its contempt powers, the law takes a different view. Under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, actions that scandalize or obstruct the administration of justice can carry serious penalties, including imprisonment and fines. Furthermore, the Indian Penal Code includes strict provisions for intentional insults and criminal intimidation directed at public servants. By pursuing this as a police matter rather than a judicial one, authorities have signaled that such behavior remains a criminal offense, regardless of the court’s personal decision to show leniency.

This bizarre episode highlights the delicate balance between the freedom of a citizen to represent themselves in court and the absolute necessity of maintaining order. It raises difficult questions: Where should the line be drawn for those appearing before the highest court in the land? Is there a need for stricter behavioral guidelines for self-represented litigants to ensure that the dignity of the judicial process is never compromised again?

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As of now, both students remain in police custody while the investigation continues. The Supreme Court has moved on, having closed the book on the original case, but the echoes of this disruption remain a stark reminder of the respect required in the halls of justice. It serves as an cautionary tale for any aspiring legal mind about the weight of the bench and the serious consequences of forgetting one’s place in the courtroom.