In connection with the suo motu contempt proceedings, the Culcutta High Court judge, Justice C S Karnan didn’t appear to the Supreme Court on February 13. Thus, the apex court has postponed the hearing by three weeks.
Both Justice Karnan and his lawyer failed to appear in the court while the court said,”The court is unaware of the reasons for his absence. We, therefore, refrain from proceeding with the matter.”
On the other hand, a letter written by Justice Karnan has been taken on record by the apex court which was addressed to the Registrar General of the supreme court in which he allegedly wrote that he has been victimised of being a ‘Dalit.’
A fortnight ago, Justice Karnan had written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to take action against what he described as “high corruption at the judiciary”. In his letter dated January 23, the judge furnished “an initial list of corrupt judges”, and named 20 judges of Supreme Court and high courts.
Earlier on Janaury 8, a bench of seven superior judges headed by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar has issued show cause notice to Calcutta High Court judge CS Karnan initiating suo moto criminal proceedings in a case relating to his own transfer from the Madras High Court.
This is the first time that a constitutional court has initiated contempt of court proceedings against a judge of the SC or HC. There have been times when the CJI, after receiving inquiry reports against a sitting judge, has recommended to Parliament to initiate proceedings for the removal of the erring judge.
