SC bars Justice Karnan from judicial work, issues contempt notice

Justice Karnan had created a storm after he alleged that he was being targetted because he was a Dalit.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued contempt notices to Justice C S 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 Justice 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 the Chief Justice of India, J S Khehar is hearing the case against Justice C S Karnan who had lashed out at his colleagues accusing them of corruption.

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

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 leveled by him must be probed.

OneIndia News