The Supreme Court of India has issued a bailable warrant against Calcutta High Court judge CS Karnan on March 10, initiating suo moto criminal proceedings after he failed to appear before the court in a contempt case in connection with his transfer from the Madras High Court. Despite apex court’s notice Calcutta HC judge CS Karnan refused to appear before SC to face contempt charges.
Now, Justice Karnan will have to furnish a personal bail bond of Rs 10,000 in the contempt case.
Earlier, Justice C S Karnan did not appear to the Supreme Court on February 13. Thus, the apex court postponed the hearing by three weeks. Following which, Justice Karnan wrote a letter which has been taken on record by the apex court and was addressed to the Registrar General of the supreme court in which he allegedly wrote that he has been victimised of being a ‘Dalit.’
#Flash Supreme Court issues bailable warrant against Calcutta HC judge CS Karnan pic.twitter.com/0NGTK4nria
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 10, 2017
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.
Bailable warrant issued after Calcutta HC judge CS Karnan refused to appear before SC to face contempt charges despite apex court’s notice
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 10, 2017
This is the first time that a constitutional court has initiated contempt of court proceedings against a judge of the SC or HC.
