Calcutta High Court judge Justice CS Karnan was served a bailable warrant ordered by Supreme Court.
Highlights
- Justice CS Karnan's served a warrant ordered in a contempt case
- Top Court asked Kolkata police chief to serve warrant to him personally
- Will demand Rs 14-crore-compensation from the judges: Justice Karnan
Dozens of cops led by the chief of the West Bengal Police arrived at Calcutta High Court judge Justice CS Karnan's home in Kolkata today to serve a warrant issued by the Supreme Court in a contempt case. He has been ordered to appear before the top court at 10:30 am on March 31.
"Refusing" the warrant, Justice Karnan, 61, said, "The whole world is laughing at our Supreme Court for the way it is behaving with me." When asked if he would abide by the court order, the judge said, "Wait and see". He also threatened to file defamation cases against seven Supreme Court judges who had issued a contempt notice against him, demanding a compensation of Rs 14 crore for "disturbing his mind and social life".
The police, however, said that Justice Karnan signed a "personal recognition" bond and made some observations, adding that the warrant was now considered served.
Last week, the top court had asked the Bengal police chief to "personally" serve the warrant to the High Court judge, a first in the country's judicial history, after he skipped hearing in a contempt case. But Justice Karnan, in an unprecedented move, called a "court" on the lawns of his home on the same day and ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the seven Supreme Court judges.
The judge has alleged that he is being targeted because he is a Dalit.
Chief Justice of India JS Khehar and six more judges had summoned Justice Karnan to court for contempt in February after his controversial allegations about corruption in the judiciary. Justice Karnan even wrote letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging corruption among former and current judges in the country.
After he went public with his allegations, the top court stripped him of his judicial and administrative work and also transferred him from the Madras High Court to the Calcutta High Court.
Instead of appearing in court, Justice Karnan wrote to the judges alleging that he was targeted because he is a Dalit. He also "stayed" or put on hold his own transfer order.
Some 20 Madras High Court judges had signed a petition against Justice Karnan, accusing him of high-handed behaviour.