SC drops contempt of court trial against Panchayat Min Kutty

New Delhi, Nov 17 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dropped the contempt of court proceedings against Kerala Panchayat Minister Mohammad Kutty for making derogatory statement against the Judiciary.

Mr Kutty had made a public statement in his speech saying, ''Judgements are weighed in currency notes.'' The Kerala High Court intiated a suo motu contempt of court proceeding against the Minister for tarnishing the image of the Judiciary by making such irresponsible and reckless allegation against the Judiciary of the country.

However, Mr Kutty tendered an unconditional apology before the High Court but the same was not accepted by the court.

The Minister then appealed to the Supreme Court against the High Court decision to prosecute him.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam accepted the appology tendered by the Minister, who clarified that his intention was not to tarnish the image of the Judiciary and he has only referring to the high cost of litigation, which is beyond the reach of a common man.

The apex court accepted the explanation and set aside the Kerala High Court decision to prosecute the Minister for making derogatory remarks against the Judiciary.

UNI SC PY RP CS1955