NEW DELHI/KOLKATA:Taking a tough stand against sitting Calcutta High Court Justice CS Karnan, the seven-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Monday ordered a medical examination of him to confirm whether he is medically fit.
In response, Justice Karnan, who is facing contempt proceedings before the apex court for accusing several judges of corruption, termed the order ‘ridiculous’ and ‘unusual’.
“Who is the Supreme Court to judge that I have a mental illness? The seven judges looking at my case are corrupt,” he claimed at a press conference in Kolkata.
“If the DGP acts without my consent, I’ll pass an order against him. He should stay within limits. I won’t submit to any treatment,” added Justice Karnan. “I direct DGP, New Delhi to take the seven accused and produce them to a psychiatric medical board attached to AIIMS and conduct medical test.”
The bench, headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar, directed the DGP, West Bengal to constitute a team of police personnel to get an examination conducted and submit its report by May 8, and slated the hearing for May 9. The order was passed after Justice Karnan defied court’s order and did not appear before it on Monday.
The CJI took exception to the orders passed by Justice Karnan, despite withdrawing judicial work from him, and directed all courts, tribunals and other judicial officials not to take cognizance of any orders passed by Justice Karnan after February 8, 2017.
In his latest order, Justice Karnan had passed orders for summoning the bench of seven judges and directing the Air Control Authority not to allow these judges to travel abroad. “The press briefing and orders issued by him indicate that he may not be in a position to defend himself. Therefore, we consider in the fitness of matter that he may be medically examined by a medical board of a government hospital,” the order reads.