The West Bengal police team that arrived in Chennai on Wednesday to arrest Justice CS Karnan, sentenced to six months’ jail by the Supreme Court, failed to trace his location.
Justice Karnan flew to Chennai on Tuesday morning, hours before the Supreme Court punished him for contempt.
According to news agency IANS, its sources in Chennai said that he had left the State Guest House for the famed Shiva temple in Srikalahasti town in Andhra Pradesh.
But an official at the temple, about 120 km from here, told IANS over telephone that there was no trace of the judge.
"He did not arrive yesterday or today. We have no idea if he will reach the temple tomorrow," the official said.
Another temple official had earlier said that the judge was likely to reach the Andhra town on Wednesday evening and offer prayers on Thursday morning.
Justice Karnan checked into the Chennai Guest House on Tuesday after leaving his home in Kolkata. But he has not officially vacated the guest house room and his bill remains to be settled.
Officials said two other advocates who came with the judge have been asked to vacate their rooms in the Chennai guest house.
The apex court has ordered the Director General of West Bengal Police to set up a team to implement its arrest order "forthwith".
Justice Karnan was found guilty of contempt for hurling corruption charges against Supreme Court judges including the Chief Justice.
(With IANS inputs)
