CHENNAI: Justice CS Karnan, the Madras High Court judge who has been having a running battle with his colleagues on the Bench here, has dropped another bombshell, this time accusing a brother judge of sexually assaulting an intern in the High Court premises.
“I have preferred several representations to your Lordship regarding the conduction of enquiry on the custodial rape committed by Mr Justice XXXXXX (name withheld by Express) on the law intern Miss XXXXX (name withheld) at the Madras High Court,” said Justice Karnan in yet another letter dated May 12, this time to the Chief Justice, Madras High Court. This is the latest allegation he has raised against a brother judge, coming close on the heels of his allegation against another judge who he said obtained fraudulent certificate for getting the post in HC.
Justice Karnan referred to reports published in a section of the media that the CJ had written a letter to the CJI seeking his transfer to any other court due to serious allegations against him. He requested the CJ to conduct an open inquiry on the allegations, assuring him of “earnest and maximum cooperation”. The judge noted that he had levelled a complaint against the CJ with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Tribes (under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, on which an inquiry was pending.
“After the suggested inquiry, if any incrimination is on my part, I will surely be prepared to shift out to any place in India at Your Lordship’s choice,” he added.
No Stranger to Controversies
May 2015: Justice Karnan passes an order questioning a brother judge’s inclusion in the committee to interview candidates for selection as civil judges and stays the recruitment process
Threatens to file contempt of court proceedings against High Court Chief Justice Sanjay K Kaul over appointment of judges
Directs CBI to conduct an enquiry on educational qualification of the judge
After Supreme Court restrains him from interfering with the judges’ selection process, Justice Karnan asks the Registrar General to sanction Rs 5 lakh to defend himself before the apex court
January 2014: Storms into a courtroom, tells the bench that the selection of 12 candidates for appointment of additional judges was ‘unfair’
June 2013: Passes an order that if a couple in the right legal age indulges in sexual gratification, it will be considered a valid marriage and they could be termed as husband and wife
Later, issues a gag order and restrains others from making adverse comments
November 2011: Claims he was abused by fellow judges as he was a Dalit. Lodges a complaint with National Commission for SC/ST, the first judge to do so