Ashish Tripathi, Deccan Herald News Service, NEW DELHI: May 9 2017, 11:56 IST
Calcutta High Court judge Justice C S Karna. Press Trust of India file photo
In a first of its kind order in Indian legal history, the Supreme Court on Monday held sitting Calcutta HC judge guilty of contempt of court and ordered him to undergo six month jail term. A seven-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice J S Khehar ordered West Bengal DGP to forthwith arrest Karnan.
The court also restrained media from publishing statement or orders passed by Justice Karnan. Taking a grim view of his case, the bench said, "Contempt is contempt...it has got no colour...we can't distinguish between individuals."
Justice Karnan was transferred from Madras to Calcutta HC. The proceedings against him saw many firsts. As it was the first time that a sitting judge faced contempt proceedings. It was again first time, the top court issued bailable warrants against him.
In its order, the bench noted that Justice Karnan had defied the apex court's orders repeatedly. The court had earlier directed for medical examination of Justice Karnan to ascertain if he was fit to defend himself in the contempt proceedings initiated against him.
The judge has been “expressing disrespect” to the apex court even since contempt notice issued to him on February 8. Justice Karnan had failed to appear before the top court to respond to the suo motu contempt proceedings initiated against him.
The court then had given given him one more opportunity to respond to the notice issued on February 8. “In case he does not choose to file a response on or before 8.5.2017, it shall be presumed, that he has nothing to say in the matter,” the bench had said.
Justice Karnan has consistently remained billigerant and defiant. In Kolkata, he reportedly termed the SC's order as illegal and vowed not to submit to any medical examination. He had called the seven judges as “corrupt." He has been issuing directions and hold press conferences against the apex court judges after writing scurrilous letter to the Prime Minister. “He has called judges as accused. It seems he has lost his mental balance... judiciary can't become a laughing stock,”