Calcutta High Court judge C.S. Karnan on Friday deferred the hearing of his case against seven Supreme Court judges, including Chief Justice of India J.S. Kehar, who had issued a contempt order against him.
Justice Karnan also directed the Air Control Authority, New Delhi, “not to permit the said accused” to travel abroad till the case is disposed of, since their “offence” involves caste discrimination.
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Summons to ‘accused’
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Earlier this month, he had directed the judges to appear before him on Friday. “Today the above mentioned accused 1 to 8 are called absent hence their matter is re-posted to 01. 05. 2017 [Monday] to enable their reappearance. In the meantime, this court directs the Air Control Authority [referring to the Airports Authority of India] New Delhi, not to permit the said accused 1 to 8 from going abroad until the disposal of this crucial issue, since the nature of the offence, that is caste discrimination, is not only a heinous crime but also a very cruel Atrocious Act of heinous crime, and is punishable as per the Constitution,” Justice Karnan stated in the order. He included an eighth judge in his new order.
Elaborating on the reason for not allowing the judges to travel abroad, Justice Karnan said if “the accused are permitted to travel abroad, there is the probability of the virus of caste discrimination spreading in the said country by such perpetrators.”
In February, the Supreme Court issued a contempt of court notice against Justice Karnan for allegedly degrading the judicial institution.
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A seven-judge Bench led by Chief Justice Khehar heard Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi, who said that Justice Karnan should face contempt proceedings for his “scurrilous” letters against sitting and retired High Court and Supreme Court judges.
Justice Karnan had written to the Prime Minister and allegedly accused several retired and sitting judges of corruption.