Order against me issued to ruin my life: Karnan on bailable warrant

The bench is currently debating how to deal with the defiance.

The Supreme Court has issued a bailable warrant against Justice C Karnan in a contempt case. The case was taken up Suo Motu by the Supreme Court. Justice Karnan had defied the SC order and failed to appear before the bench.

In reaction, Karnan said,"This issue is a national issue. Made representation to PM stating that some judges committed illegal activities."

"Order is arbitrary order deliberately issued against me in order to ruin my life, career. On the basis of representation, SC issued suo moto contempt without enquiry, discussion or findings," he added.

The bench is currently debating how to deal with the defiance. The court had given Justice Karnan time until March 10 to reply to the contempt notice, but he failed to do so.

Justice Karnan had created a storm after he alleged that he was being targeted because he was a Dalit. He also questioned the collegium of the Supreme Court which transferred him from the Madras high court to Calcutta HC.

Senior counsel, K K Venugopal appearing for the Madras High Court told the Bench that the judges need protection from Justice Karnan's verbal abuse and wild charges. He also said that the judge had leveled malicious rape charges against a Madras HC judge.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court had issued contempt notices to Karnan, a sitting judge of the Calcutta high court.

The SC also directed the judge to be present before the court on February 13 to explain why contempt proceedings could not be initiated against him. The court also withdrew all judicial work from Karnan and asked him to return all files.

It is for the first time in history that a contempt case is being heard against a sitting judge of a high court. A seven-judge Constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar is hearing the case against Karnan who had lashed out at his colleagues accusing them of corruption.

Justice Karnan had also written to the prime minister on January 23 accusing a sitting high court judge due for elevation of corruption. He also said that the charges levelled by him must be probed.

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