Contempt case: SC finds Calcutta HC judge Justice CS Karnan guilty, sentences him to six months imprisonment

The Supreme Court on Tuesday held the Calcutta High Court judge Justice CS Karnan guilty in the contempt of court case against him, and sentenced him to six months in prison.

The top court said that its order needs to be executed forthwith.

The apex court also banned the media from publishing content of orders passed by Justice Karnan.

The Supreme court had taken suo motu cognisance of various letters written by Justice Karnan against judges of the Madras high court and the Supreme Court and restrained him from exercising administrative and judicial power from February 8.

Along with CJI, six judges - Justice Dipak Misra, Justice J. Chelameswar, Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Madan B. Lokur, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Justice Kurian Joseph - had initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against Justice Karnan in February after he had named 20 "corrupt judges," seeking a probe against them.

Justice Karnan had alleged this was done because he is a Dalit.

A day ago, in an escalation of his confrontation with the Supreme Court, Karnan 'sentenced' Chief Justice of India J S Khehar and seven other judges of the Supreme Court to five years rigorous imprisonment.

Justice Karnan said the eight judges have "jointly committed the offences punishable under the SC/ST Atrocities Act of 1989 and amended Act of 2015."

On May 1, in response to the apex court ordering an examination of his 'mental health', Justice Karnan asserted that he would issue a suo moto suspension order against West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) if he forcefully conducted a medical checkup.