NEW DELHI: Defying the Supreme Court’s order Calcutta High Court sitting judge Justice C S Karnan did not appear before it in a contempt case initiated by the top court.
In an unprecedented act, the apex court had issued a notice to Justice Karnan on February 8.
But Justice Karnan on Monday did not appear before the seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar.
During the hearing, Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi appearing on behalf of Centre urged the court to take strict action against Justice Karnan for not obeying the court’s order and referred to his recent communication to the apex court.
However, the bench led by CJI made it clear that another chance should be given to Justice Karnan to appear before it and granted him three weeks more and slated the hearing on March 10.
“Consequences are grave and that is why we want to ask him some questions before proceeding ahead,” CJI observed.
Meanwhile, senior advocate K K Venugopal appearing on behalf of Madras High Court that, “Madras HC judges need protection from Justice Karnan's verbal abuse and wild charges. Justice Karnan has levelled malicious rape charges against a Madras HC Judge.”
However, the court said another chance be given to Justice Karnan.
The court also barred any lawyer group of individual from appearing for Justice Karnan if not authorized by him to argue on his behalf.
Last week, in a strong-worded letter to CJI and other Judges on the bench, Justice Karnan stated that his case should be sent to the Parliament.
The High Court judge has alleged that it is a case of upper caste judges misusing their powers to get rid of a Dalit judge.
Justice Karnan has stated that as a sitting judge, he is obligated to control corruption and irregularities in the judiciary and stated, “I am also a responsible judge to control such high irregularities especially corruption and malpractice. I have furnished comprehensive proof of unethical practices happening with the respective courts.”
Justice Karnan has written various letters against the Madras High Court Chief Justice which were addressed to the CJI, Prime Minister and others.
He was transferred from the Madras High Court to the Calcutta High Court for his alleged contemptuous conduct.