The Supreme Court on Friday issued a bailable warrant against Justice CS Karnan of the Calcutta High Court over his failure to appear before it in a contempt case.
In its order, a seven-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar asked the Kolkata police to serve the warrant and produce Karnan before the top court on March 31.
According to the PTI, the court has directed the West Bengal DGP to personally execute the warrant to ensure his appearance before it.
The bench has also asked him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 10,000 to secure bail in the case.
The order came as Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the court that Justice Karnan has refused to appear before the court in the case and under the Supreme Court Rules, if a person does not appear, a bailable warrant be issues against him.
He has been accused of writing letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others alleging corruption against several sitting and retired judges in the country.
Last month, the court had issued a contempt notice to him and asked him to appear before it. This was for the first time in the history of Indian judiciary when the SC issued a contempt notice against any HC judge.
Taking strong exception to Justice Karnan’s allegations, the apex court had stripped him of all judicial and administrative responsibilities.
