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Court issues contempt notice to two women

J. Venkatesan

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to two women associated with a Mumbai-based non-profit research organisation, Boss School, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for casting aspersions on Bombay High Court judges.

A Bench consisting of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices P. Sathasivam and J.M. Panchal, gave an opportunity to Leila David and Annette Kotian, who argued in person, to withdraw the allegations made in their petitions seeking the arrest of 10 judges for not rendering justice to them.

However, when both refused, the Bench issued contempt notice asking them to reply by September 10.

Justice Balakrishnan told them, “The allegations are per se contempt of court.” He warned that if they failed to respond to the notice they would be arrested.

Ms. Kotian told the CJI, “We are not going to withdraw the allegations.” Ms. David said, “Why should we withdraw the allegations when what we say is true.” When Ms. Kotian asked the CJI to recuse himself from the case, he said, “You have no business to say this. Mind your words. You are arguing in the apex court of this country. You will have to face serious consequences.”

He told them: “Several judges had dealt with the matter and even police had carried out investigation as to how students of Boss School are behaving. You have not even spared the Home Minister of Maharashtra by levelling serious charges against him. You think you are above the law?”

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