The hearing of the seven Supreme Court judges, including Chief Justice of India (CJI) JS Khehar, was delayed by the Calcutta High Court judge, C S Karnan, yesterday.

Earlier, the CJI issued a contempt notice to Karnan. On February 8, a seven-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar had ordered the registrar general of the Calcutta HC to relieve Karnan of his duties. Justice Karnan was also asked to appear before the bench on February 13 to face contempt charges. Karnan told the court, “I am also holding constitutional post. My dignity has been hurt and work has been taken away without hearing me.” Karnan did not obey the court order and failed to appear. Instead, he wrote a letter questioning the contempt proceedings against him. Now, in a blow to the earlier notice, Karnan has issued order to the seven judges and the CJI.

The HC judge also directed the Air Control Authority in New Delhi, not to permit the seven judges to fly abroad, till the case is disposed off, since their “offence” involves caste discrimination against Karnan. The HC judge, earlier this month had directed the seven judges to appear before him on Friday. But in his newly stated order, “ Today the above mentioned accused 1 to 8 are called absent hence their matter is re-posted to 01. 05. 2017 (Monday) to enable their reappearance. In the meantime, this court directs the Air Control Authority (referring to the Airports Authority of India) New Delhi, not to permit the said accused 1 to 8 from going abroad until the disposal of this crucial issue, since the nature of the offence, that is caste discrimination, is not only a heinous crime but also a very cruel atrocious act of heinous crime, and is punishable as per the Constitution.” Karnan thus also included an eighth judge in his order, the identity of whom is not revealed yet.

Karnan outrageously then claimed that the reason for his “order’” directing airport officials to prevent the judges from flying abroad was, “if the accused are permitted to travel abroad, there is the probability of the virus of caste discrimination spreading in the said country by such perpetrators.”

A contempt notice, was issued to Karnan, by the Supreme Court, for “degrading the judicial institution” after Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi called for contempt proceedings against him for “scurrilous” letters against sitting and retired judges of the High Courts and Supreme Court. Justice Karnan had written to the Prime Minister and accused several retired and sitting judges of corruption. Karnan, summoned the seven SC judges, including the CJI, to his residential court and accused them of caste discrimination.

SUPRAJA