Supreme Court issues bailable warrant against Calcutta HC judge

The Supreme Court on 10 March issued a bailable warrant against Calcutta High Court judge C. S. Karnan in a contempt case against him.

A seven-judge bench of the apex court led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) J.S. Khehar issued the bailable warrant with a personal bail bond of Rs. 10,000 against Justice Karnan, who allegedly made slanderous remarks against judges of the Madras High Court.

The top court's decision came after Justice Karnan refused to appear before it to face contempt charges.

The apex court also directed the Director General of Police (DGP) of the state to serve the warant on Justice Karnan personally at his residence.

The apex court also refused the request of Justice Karnan for a personal hearing.

On 13 February, Justice Karnan had skipped his appearance in the Supreme Court, following which his deadline to personally appear before the apex court was extended by three weeks.

The apex court had earlier granted three weeks to Justice Karnan to appear before the court and to reply to a show cause notice issued by it.

At its previous hearing, the Supreme Court had directed Karnan to appear before the court in person in connection with suo motu contempt proceedings. But neither he nor his lawyer presented themselves before it on the date of the hearing.

In an unprecedented move, the apex court had invoked its powers to initiate contempt proceedings against Justice Karnan, for writing letters casting aspersions on several judges.

Justice Karnan has been accused of circulation of disparaging letters against sitting high court judges of the Madras High Court, and he has also allegedly written about Supreme Court judges in his letters to the Prime Minister's Office.

-ANI