Contempt notice: Calcutta HC judge CS Karnan fails to appear before SC, proceedings deferred by 3 weeks

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred proceedings in connection with suo motu contempt case by three weeks, as the Calcutta High Court judge CS Karnan failed to appear in Supreme Court.

Neither Karnan nor his lawyer appear before the court. 

"We are not aware of reasons for his non-appearance. We, therefore, refrain from proceeding with the matter," the court said.

However, the court took on record the letter written by Justice Karnan to Registrar General of apex court in which he alleged victimisation for being a Dalit.

This is the first time ever that a sitting High Court judge faces a contempt case.

Last Wednesday in an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court had invoked its powers to initiate contempt proceedings against him, for writing letters casting aspersions on several judges.

Justice Karnan has been accused of circulation of disparaging letters against sitting High Court judges of the Madras High Court, and he has also allegedly written about Supreme Court judges in his letters to the Prime Minister's Office.

Asking Justice Karnan to appear in person on February 13th, a seven-judge constitution bench, headed by CJI Khehar and six other judges directed that Justice Karnan would not discharge any judicial and administrative functions during the pendency of the proceedings.