NEW DELHI: Taking a tough stand against sitting Calcutta High Court Justice C S Karnan, the seven judge constitution bench of Supreme Court on Monday ordered his medical examination. Justice Karnan is facing contempt proceedings.
The bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar directed DGP, West Bengal to constitute a team of police personnel to get examination conducted and submit its report by May 8. The order was passed after Justice Karnan defied court’s order and did not appear before it today.
Justice Karnan is facing contempt proceedings for accusing number of judges of corruption.
CJI took exception of the orders passed by Justice Karnan despite withdrawing judicial work from him and directed all courts, tribunals and other judicial officials not to takle cognizance of any orders passed by Justice Karnan after February 8, 2017.
In his latest order, Justice Karnan had banned eight supreme court judges including CJI from travelling. In another order he summoned them to appear before him.
Senior advocate K K Venugopal suggested the bench not to proceed with the contempt proceedings and not send him to jail as Justice Karnan is scheduled to retire in June this year.
Venugopal said Justice Karnan is not in a fit mental condition and hence, the court should refrain from proceeding with the contempt case.
But Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi vehemently opposed the plea and said, “We have become a laughing stock. This is his (Justice Karnan) contempt is pending. If the court does nothing now then what will happen latter?”
“Everyday he says something, the court can’t keep giving him opportunities to explain his stand. This is nothing but aggravation of law,” AG added.
CJI observed Justice Karnan’s conduct is extremely contemptuous.
The bench also allowed the Supreme Court Bar Association to intervene in contempt case Justice Karnan.
the apex court also directed all courts, tribunals, commissions across country not to consider any order passed by Justice Karnan after February 8 when it had restrained him from taking up judicial work.
(With PTI inputs)