The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a controversial interim order passed by Madras High Court judge Justice C.S. Karnan, allegedly undermining the authority of High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul.
Staying Justice Karnan’s order of April 30, 2015, passed in suo motu proceedings relating to the appointment of officers of lower judiciary, a Bench headed by Chief Justice H.L. Dattu ordered that the judge be restrained from either hearing or issuing any further directions in the case.
It said there shall not be any interference by any person or authority or judges in completing the process initiated by the High Court for selection and appointment of junior judicial officers in Tamil Nadu till disposal of the special leave petition.
Hearing after vacation
The Bench posted the appeal filed by the Madras High Court registry against the order passed by Justice Karnan for hearing after the vacation.
Senior advocate K.K. Venugopal, appearing for the High Court registry, said that “the conduct of this judge has brought great disrepute to the High Court by his so-called suo motu judicial order.”
Responding to his submission, the Bench said, “We have seen the order and we are fully aware of the order.”
The judge in a suo motu order sought to stay the appointment process for subordinate judicial officers
