KOLKATA: Continuing his showdown with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Jagdish Singh Khehar and six other judges of the Supreme Court, Calcutta High Court judge Justice Chinnaswamy Swaminathan Karnan on Thursday refused to undergo a medical examination in violation of the apex court order.
Justice Karnan sent back the four-doctor medical board team, who were assisted by Kolkata police personnel, from his residence in New Town, Kolkata. The team was ordered by the Supreme Court to submit the medical report of Justice Karnan by May 8.
In a written statement to the chairman of Medical Board of Pavlov Mental Hospital, Justice Karnan reiterated that he refused to avail the medical treatment as he is absolutely normal with a stable mind and believes that the Supreme
Court order amounts to insult and harassment of a Dalit judge.
Stating the people of India have lost faith in the judiciary, he demanded resignations of the seven judges.
Speaking at a press conference at his residence, he called the Supreme Court order as a ‘mad order issued by mad judges’. “It’s a mad order by mad, illiterate judges. They even sent four doctors. One doctor is enough for my medical examination. Do they need one doctor for each of my limbs?” Justice Karnan asked jokingly.
In a written statement, he alleged the seven judges misused their judicial powers after misconception of the Suo Motu Contempt Petition No.1 of 2017. He also stated the seven judges are operating their judicial powers outside the law, out of cause of action and jurisdiction. He accused them of encouraging and supporting corruption.
The Calcutta High Court justice had ordered psychiatric examination of the seven Supreme Court judges and sought a report from a medical board of AIIMS and Delhi police before May 7, a day before the apex court set the deadline for his medical report. Justice Karnan also issued non-bailable warrants against the seven judges, whom he accused of discriminating him for being a Dalit and hence liable to prosecution under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocity) Act.