Calcutta High Court Judge Justice CS Karnan appeared in the Supreme Court in relation to contempt proceedings against him.
During the hearing, the Attorney General argued there is "no question of non-comprehension, he's aware of what he's doing." The apex court replied to the AG saying, "We can see his state of mind is not clear."
Chief Justice of India JS Khehar reportedly asked Karnan if he wants to give certificates on his medical condition. Karnan declined, saying he only wants his work restored.
Karnan offered the court an unconditional apology, provided his judicial and administrative powers are restored. The court turned the offer down.
He has been granted four-weeks’ time to file his written submissions in the contempt case against him.
On 23 January, Justice Karnan wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, bringing to light an “initial list of corrupt judges” and three other officers of the Madras High Court for “high corruption at the judiciary”. He urged PM Modi to see that they were “interrogated by the officers of Central Agencies.”
Karnan reportedly told ANI after the hearing that he is going to pass an order against the seven judges. When asked if he has the power to do so, he replied, “Yes I do.”
On 8 February 2017, a seven judge-constitutional bench of the Supreme Court took judicial note of the several letters sent out by Karnan with serious allegations of corruption and bias against members of the judiciary over the last three years.
Karnan has defied repeated summons from the apex court and has alleged that his status as a Dalit judge has led him to be discriminated against.
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