Calcutta high court judge justice CS Karnan on Monday failed to appear before the Supreme Court in a contempt case.
The top court was forced to defer proceedings in the case, the first of its kind, by three weeks as neither Karnan nor his lawyer appeared before the court.
“We are not aware of reasons for his non-appearance. We, therefore, refrain from proceeding with the matter,” the court said.
A seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar had on February 8 issued a contempt notice against justice Karnan for alleged judicial indiscipline. Justice Karnan was also relieved of his duties.
{{/usCountry}}A seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar had on February 8 issued a contempt notice against justice Karnan for alleged judicial indiscipline. Justice Karnan was also relieved of his duties.
{{/usCountry}}A letter by the judge to the Prime Minister, law minister and the CJI accusing several sitting and retired judges of corruption prompted the SC action.
In response to the notice, justice Karnan two days later wrote to the top court’s registrar general that he was being singled out by “upper caste judges” as he was a Dalit.
He also said the courts had “no power to enforce punishment against a sitting judge of the high court”, adding the matter should be referred to Parliament.
The Supreme Court took on record this letter on Monday even as it turned down attorney general Mukul Rohatgi’s request to frame charges against justice Karnan.
(With inputs from agencies)