In a first, SC issues warrant against a high court judge
NEW DELHI: For the first time in Indian judicial history, Supreme Court today issued warrant to a sitting Judge of a High Court. Supreme Court has issued a bailable warrant against Calcutta High Court judge CS Karnan in a contempt case for his allegations against the Supreme court and High Court judges.
The apex court issued the warrant against Justice Karnan as he failed to appear before the SC Bench. Justice Karnan, charged with contempt of court, had defied the order by refusing to appear before the apex court.
A seven-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar also asked Justice Karnan to appear before it on March 31.
SC has directed West Bengal DGP to personally execute the warrant against Justice Karnan to ensure his appearance before the court.
The order came as Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the court that Justice Karnan has refused to appear before the court and under the Supreme Court Rules, if a person does not appear, a bailable warrant can be issued against him.
According to the apex court order, Justice Karnan will have to furnish a personal bond of Rs 10,000 to secure bail in the contempt case.
SC has also refused to consider Justice Karnan's letter as his reply to contempt notice.
Justice Karnan had lashed out at the apex court through a letter, accusing it of harbouring a caste bias against him.
Leveling allegation of bias against the seven senior most judges of the apex court -- Chief Justice J S Khehar, Justices Dipak Misra, J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur, P C Ghose and Kurian Joseph -- Justice Karnan had said that the proceedings are "not maintainable under law" against a sitting high court judge and asked the top court to refer the matter to parliament.
Karnan even went on to allege that the apex court order amounted to an offence under the SC and ST (Prevention of) Atrocities Act.
In another letter written to the Secretary General, Karnan had accused the bench of upper caste bias in initiating proceedings as he belonged to the Dalit community.
The apex court issued the warrant against Justice Karnan as he failed to appear before the SC Bench. Justice Karnan, charged with contempt of court, had defied the order by refusing to appear before the apex court.
A seven-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar also asked Justice Karnan to appear before it on March 31.
SC has directed West Bengal DGP to personally execute the warrant against Justice Karnan to ensure his appearance before the court.
The order came as Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the court that Justice Karnan has refused to appear before the court and under the Supreme Court Rules, if a person does not appear, a bailable warrant can be issued against him.
According to the apex court order, Justice Karnan will have to furnish a personal bond of Rs 10,000 to secure bail in the contempt case.
SC has also refused to consider Justice Karnan's letter as his reply to contempt notice.
Justice Karnan had lashed out at the apex court through a letter, accusing it of harbouring a caste bias against him.
Leveling allegation of bias against the seven senior most judges of the apex court -- Chief Justice J S Khehar, Justices Dipak Misra, J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur, P C Ghose and Kurian Joseph -- Justice Karnan had said that the proceedings are "not maintainable under law" against a sitting high court judge and asked the top court to refer the matter to parliament.
Karnan even went on to allege that the apex court order amounted to an offence under the SC and ST (Prevention of) Atrocities Act.
In another letter written to the Secretary General, Karnan had accused the bench of upper caste bias in initiating proceedings as he belonged to the Dalit community.
