Supreme Court Suspends Conviction of GHCAA President Yatin Oza in “Final Act of Forgiveness”
The Supreme Court has suspended the contempt conviction and sentence of GHCAA President Yatin Oza under Article 142, calling it a “final act of forgiveness,” while directing periodic review of his conduct by the Gujarat High Court.
Verdicto News Desk 
New Delhi, May 11: The Supreme Court on Monday suspended the conviction and sentence awarded to Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association (GHCAA) President Yatin Oza by the Gujarat High Court in April 2024 for making scandalous remarks against the state judiciary.
A bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.S. Chandurkar invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to keep Oza’s conviction and sentence in abeyance indefinitely, describing the relief as a “final act of forgiveness.”
However, the apex court directed the full court of the Gujarat High Court to periodically review Oza’s conduct every two years based on an undertaking submitted by him expressing regret and apology for his behaviour.
The case stemmed from allegations that Oza accused a presiding judge of “forum shopping” during the hearing of a writ petition. The Gujarat High Court had convicted him for contempt of court and sentenced him till the rising of the court.
Oza has previously faced contempt proceedings. In 2020, the Gujarat High Court initiated action against him for referring to the court as “a gambling den” and stripped him of his senior advocate designation.
Later, in October 2021, the Supreme Court restored his senior advocate status for a two-year probationary period beginning January 1, 2022, calling it his “one more and last chance” under Article 142 of the Constitution, which empowers the apex court to ensure “complete justice” in pending matters.
Notably, Oza was elected GHCAA president for the 19th time on December 20, 2025.
In its latest judgment, the Supreme Court said the reasons given by the Gujarat High Court did not warrant interference on merits. Nevertheless, the bench decided to exercise its extraordinary powers under Article 142 to suspend the conviction and sentence.
“The reasons assigned in the impugned order by the high court do not warrant any interference by this court. Yet, extending a final act of forgiveness, we are inclined to exercise our power under Article 142 of the Constitution,” the bench observed.
The court further clarified that no disqualification or disadvantage arising from Oza’s conviction under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, including under Section 24-A of the Advocates Act, 1961, would apply during the suspension period.
The apex court also warned that if Oza engages in any similar misconduct in the future, the Gujarat High Court would be free to seek immediate restoration of his conviction and sentence.
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