Karnan summons CJI, 6 Supreme Court judges

Justice Karnan claimed that the seven judges of the bench 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, 2017, at 11 30 am the Hon’ble seven judges as mentioned above 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 “make-shiftcourt.”

In Thursday’s order, Justice Karnan said that CJI Justice J S Khehar had on March 31 raised a question as to how his mental health was. The question was “endorsed” by the six other judges of the bench, Justice Karnan, said, adding it amounted to insulting him in the open court. Justice Karnan had on March 31 appeared in the Supreme Court in the contempt case against him, a first in the Indian judicial history, and sought restoration of his powers as a condition for his re-appearance, but the plea was rejected.