Defiant Justice Karnan asks CJI, 6 judges to appear before him

A defiant Calcutta High Court Judge Justice C S Karnan on Thursday asked the Chief Justice of India and six judges of the Supreme Court, who have issued a contempt notice to him, to appear before him at his “residential court” on April 28.

Justice Karnan claimed that the seven judges have insulted him “wantonly and deliberately and with malafide intention”.

He said the judges have been asked to defend themselves against the charge of violating the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act levelled by him. Justice Karnan has been insisting that he is being discriminated against because he is a Dalit.

Addressing journalists at his residence,  Justice Karnan said, “On April 28 at 11.30 am, the seven judges... will appear before me at my Rosedale Residential Court and give their views regarding the quantum of punishment for the violation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Atrocities Act.”

He passed the “suo motu judicial order” from his residence which, he said, has now become his makeshift court.

In the order, Justice Karnan said that on March 31 he had “pronounced a judgement wherein the hon’ble judges are accused under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Atrocities Act, 1989”.

In Thursday’s order, Justice Karnan said that CJI Justice J S Khehar had on March 31 raised a question about his mental well being.