NEW DELHI: Embattled Calcutta High Court judge Justice C S Karnan today appeared in the Supreme Court in the contempt case against him, a first in Indian judicial history, and sought restoration of his powers as a condition for his re-appearance, but the plea was rejected.
A defiant Justice Karnan told the court he would not appear before it again even if he was arrested and put in jail.
A seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar, granted him four weeks to respond to the contempt notice while refusing to restore his judicial and administrative powers as a serving High Court judge.
The bench, at the outset, referred to Justice Karnan’s March 23 communication, in which he had sought to withdraw his earlier letters allegedly casting aspersions on other judges, and asked him whether he wanted to tender “unconditional apology”.
“Can we take it that you are reiterating whatever you have said in your communication (of March 23)? Should we record this? Be careful in your response.
“First tell us if you affirm whatever you have said? If you will say allow me to think, we will allow you,” the bench, also comprising Justices Dipak Misra, J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur, P C Ghose and Kurian Joseph, said. (AGENCIES)
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